Arsenal goalkeeper wary of Real Madrid ahead of UCL clash – ‘It’s their competition’
Arsenal and Real Madrid are set to lock horns next month in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League.
Following a hard-fought and rather controversial win over Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16, the defending champions will have yet another tough fight against one of the Premier League’s finest teams, in the form of Arsenal.
One of Arsenal’s key players is David Raya, who is part of the Spanish contingent which is set to take on the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League this week.
David Raya talks Real Madrid
Speaking ahead of the Netherlands game, Raya talked about the prospect of facing Real Madrid in the Champions League next month.
“We will try to make it as difficult as possible against Real Madrid. We will focus on putting in a great performance in the first leg, and more importantly, at the Bernabeu,” he said (h/t Sky Sports).
Raya has been the undisputed first-choice keeper for Arsenal since joining in 2023. He has featured in 42 competitive matches for the Gunners this season, notably keeping as many as 16 clean sheets.
Raya has impressively kept 11 clean sheets in 29 league matches while conceding only 24 goals. He has the second-highest clean sheets in the league, only behind Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.
Nevertheless, Raya admitted that it could be a whole different ballgame against Real Madrid, even deeming their UCL as ‘their competition’.
“We know what Real Madrid are like in the Champions League. We can say that it’s their competition,” said Raya, whose immediate focus will be the Nations League games against the Netherlands.
The Arsenal goalkeeper, though, is unlikely to start ahead of Unai Simon for La Roja tonight, despite his solid form in the Premier League.
Topics
-
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid how to watch, odds, start time: Champions League Round of 16 picks, prediction
Jon Eimer locked in his best bets for Wednesday's Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League match in the Round of 16 on Paramount+CBS Sports - Mar. 12 -
UCL quarterfinals bracket set as Real face Arsenal
The Champions League quarterfinals bracket was set Wednesday, and it sends Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain toward more English teams standing in their path of the title.ESPN - Mar. 13 -
Mikel Arteta offers huge injury update ahead of Real Madrid showdown
Arsenal’s 2024/25 season will be decided by their UEFA Champions League showdowns with Real Madrid next month.The Gunners secured their spot in the last eight of the competition after a dominant ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Arsenal legend Ian Wright blasts Real Madrid pitch as a 'disgrace' in UEFA Women's Champions League matchup
Real Madrid defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal matchupCBS Sports - 1d -
Real Madrid talisman played through injury to lead UCL charge against Atletico
Real Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League was one of the team’s most important results of the season, but it came at a serious price.Carlo Ancelotti’s men, after all, w...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Madrid frustrate Arsenal to get UWCL 1st-leg win
Real Madrid frustrated Arsenal to secure a 2-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in Madrid.ESPN - 1d -
Atletico Madrid 1 (2) – 0 (4) Real Madrid: Match review
Real Madrid secured a spot in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, thanks to a win over Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout following the conclusion of their second leg meeting in the ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
UEFA Champions League round of 16 schedule, storylines: How to watch UCL on Paramount+
Real Madrid and Barcelona boast one-goal leads in their respective ties against Atletico Madrid and BenficaCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
The result of Madrid derby sends Atletico or Real likely to face Arsenal in Champions League
Atletico has to overcome a one-goal deficit to eliminate bitter rival Real in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie to maintain chance of winning Europe's biggest prizeABC News - Mar. 12
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Power rankings: PFF liked the Buffalo Bills during NFL free agency
PFF is positive on the Bills:Yahoo Sports - 15m -
UFC Fight Night 255 official weigh-in highlights, photo gallery
LONDON – The UFC Fight Night 255 fight card now is official following Friday’s weigh-in session. Saturday’s card, which takes place at The O2 and streams on ESPN+, is headlined by former ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Justin Fields' message for New York Jets fans after signing during NFL free agency
Justin Fields to you:Yahoo Sports - 15m -
How Birmingham Stallions are using Alex McGough after NFL position switch
Alex McGough won MVP as a quarterback during the 2023 UFL season. After playing receiver in the NFL, he is set to return to his old prediction.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Charles Barkley Brutally Dunks On Fox News In March Madness Broadcast
The basketball great kept repeating the conservative channel's name in his takedown during CBS's NCAA tournament coverage.Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Power rankings: PFF liked the Buffalo Bills during NFL free agency
PFF is positive on the Bills:Yahoo Sports - 15m -
UFC Fight Night 255 official weigh-in highlights, photo gallery
LONDON – The UFC Fight Night 255 fight card now is official following Friday’s weigh-in session. Saturday’s card, which takes place at The O2 and streams on ESPN+, is headlined by former ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Justin Fields' message for New York Jets fans after signing during NFL free agency
Justin Fields to you:Yahoo Sports - 15m -
How Birmingham Stallions are using Alex McGough after NFL position switch
Alex McGough won MVP as a quarterback during the 2023 UFL season. After playing receiver in the NFL, he is set to return to his old prediction.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Charles Barkley Brutally Dunks On Fox News In March Madness Broadcast
The basketball great kept repeating the conservative channel's name in his takedown during CBS's NCAA tournament coverage.Yahoo Sports - 17m