Arsenal

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Arsenal double-winner Lee Dixon has been singing the praises of "world class" David Raya and "zero nerves" Max Dowman following their standout performances against Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"There is no doubt about Raya being absolutely world-class," former England right-back Dixon told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He has a way to go to touch the gloves of David Seaman, but it would be an absolute pleasure to play in front of him.

"If you're not having to look over your shoulder every now and then as a defender, it enables you to concentrate on what's going on in front of you.

"He takes complete control of the defenders in front of him and that enables Arsenal to go on the front foot whenever they are pressing because they all trust him and know he is there for any shots they aren't able to stop.

"The save he made onto the bar was just sensational. He isn't the biggest goalkeeper but he is able to hold his own. His shot-stopping and footwork on the ball is just brilliant.

"Raya really sets a tone of calmness - and you want that in your goalkeeper - Seaman was the epitome of that. Raya is right up there with Seaman at the moment, he just needs to keep it up for another 10 years!"

On 16-year-old Dowman, who became the youngest-ever player to feature in a Champions League quarter-final, Dixon added: "He has got zero nerves.

"He has a brilliant touch on him and he just seems to glide over the grass, which is something I was never able to do.

"I'm very envious of his running style and what he has got ahead of him. He is only young, he has some really level-headed people around him and he has got the future of all futures."

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Another impressive cameo from Arsenal teenager Max Dowman at Sporting on Tuesday has drawn praise from BBC Radio 5 Live panellists Matthew Upson and Andros Townsend.

The 16-year-old was introduced for the final quarter of an hour to replace Noni Madueke on the right wing and added a fresh impetus to the Gunners' attack.

"He's just so fearless," said former Arsenal defender Upson.

"It's amazing to see young kids where they just don't feel the pressure. Naive in a way - he comes on and doesn't think what happens if he loses the ball or something goes wrong.

"He just gets the ball, looks to be positive, looks to take on his full-back, and it's amazing to witness. He's not just a 16-year-old getting an opportunity, he's a player Mikel Arteta is looking for when he needs a goal.

"That's the best compliment you can give Max Dowman. He is a game-changer now for this Arsenal side who are looking to win the Premier League and go far into the Champions League.

"He's got an unbelievable amount of grace and technical ability with the ball. It just looks like he is always creating time. It is scary how good he is technically. I genuinely think he is a generational talent. I don't think I've seen a 15 or 16-year-old step onto the scene and look as good as him for a long time. He looks very special."

Former Premier League winger Townsend added: "He's smart beyond his years in the way that he's not just a typical fast winger with raw attributes, he's very good on the ball.

"He's got a cultured left foot and almost a Spanish kind of swagger about him.

"It's amazing. I'm 34 and I'm looking at a 16-year-old and what he does and looking to take tips off him. It's amazing to see how much grace he has in the biggest moments."

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We asked for your views after Kai Havertz's stoppage-time winner gave Arsenal victory against Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Here are some of your replies:

Martin: A professional away European performance, backed up by a goalkeeping masterclass from David Raya. He was definitely missed in those two games either side of the international break. I'd have taken 0-0 and a clean sheet, but what a ball at the end from Martinelli to find Havertz. Martinelli is a different beast in the Champions League, open football suits him better. It's a nice advantage to take home and it will hopefully stabilise us going forward after a rough spell.

Nigel: A painful win. However, a win is a win. Dirty or clean, let's get it done. Havertz is a quality player and who should be starting more. I hope to see him in the starting XI at the weekend.

Rachel: Gruelling. That's another couple of hours of my life that I won't get back. However, we got the result in the end. We need to regain some control at the back because, for me, Saliba has looked shaky this season. Raya kept us in the competition once again.

Banda: Sporting had the better chances and Arsenal were fortunate at times, but it is still a solid result. However, there's clear room for improvement.

Daniel: A very tough game against a good Sporting side. Zubimendi and Rice controlled the game. Araujo should have been booked for multiple fouls. Havertz and Martinelli came off the bench to provide the goal with an excellent pass, touch and finish. A good end to the match to set up the second leg.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world. At least according to his Arsenal team-mates.

The Gunners keeper made four superb saves in his latest excellent display in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Sporting, with Kai Havertz hitting a late winner.

It is rare for a team who are top of the Premier League and in a European quarter-final to have a goalkeeper in the mix for player of the year - but Raya must be in contention.

The Spain international has kept 22 clean sheets in 41 appearances in all competitions this season - and his latest could not have come at a more important time for his side.

Raya has kept the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues, with his 22 across all competitions four clear of Inter's Yann Sommer.

"It's something that I'm there for," Raya told Amazon Prime. "I'm trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball."

The clean sheet was Raya and Arsenal's seventh in the Champions League this season - the most of any goalkeeper and any side in the competition.

Raya continued: "That's something we've worked on a lot. It's so important for us, those clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping that clean sheet decides those type of games."

Manager Mikel Arteta added: "He's extraordinary, magnificent, incredible - I don't know the right adjective. We are so happy to have him."

Raya has 15 clean sheets in 31 Premier League matches this season, the most in the division.

He shared the Golden Glove trophy with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels in 2024-25 - but Arsenal will hope that if Raya lifts that personal accolade again, it will mean they have secured silverware as a team too.

Read more about Raya's importance to Arsenal

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Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson said Kai Havertz's introduction "changed the game" for the Gunners in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Sporting in Lisbon.

The second-half substitute poked the ball past Rui Silva late on to give the Premier League leaders a narrow advantage going into next week's second leg at Emirates Stadium.

The pressure was on Mikel Arteta's side going into the game after they suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, losing in the Carabao Cup final and then exiting the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

"Kai Havertz has scored so many important goals for Arsenal," Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Him coming on changed the game, and Arteta switching the wide players did as well. It was a good decision and he's done that a few times with good results.

"Havertz has just got such a calmness about him. He's got quite a languid style anyway, and then first touch and composure to calm himself - he made it look easy.

"The finish he stroked into the bottom corner with his left foot so calmly. He ghosts into those areas late, nicely on the edge of the 18-yard box. He just sees that little space and holds his run. He doesn't go in too early and then is in there at the right time.

"The ball from Gabriel Martinelli was great, so it all kind of came together there for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal had the foundation and the basis of a really good performance, it was just missing that final little piece.

"Havertz found that for them right at the end of the game so it became a top away European performance and result really."

Did you know?

• According to statisticians Opta, Arsenal have had 38 goal involvements by substitutes across all competitions this season (24 goals, 14 assists), more than any other team across Europe's big five leagues.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Very happy to win away from home in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against a team that have not lost at home for I don't know how long. I think the last time was probably in Europe as well. That shows the difficulty of it."

On whether he thought his side might not score tonight: "Yes, because when we got into the final third, and we sat there, we missed the final bit. We had to be a little bit crisper, faster, more efficient to break them down when they had that block. We had a goal disallowed and there were two or three occasions where we were close, but we lacked that final pass. In the end, a magic moment from the finishers won us the game."

On what he thought of the winning moment: "Beautiful and that's the impact you need when you get to this stage of the season. Everybody has to make an impact, and they certainly did that tonight."

On David Raya's performance: "He had two moments where he made two big saves. And that's the Champions League. The Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there's so much quality here."

On Kai Havertz calling Raya the best goalkeeper in the world: "At the moment, he's phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him."

Arsenal match-winner Kai Havertz, speaking to Amazon Prime: "To score a late goal is always nice, especially in front of the fans and we take that result. Still a lot of work to do next week, but we take the result, for sure."

On the assist from Gabriel Martinelli: "Top, so much quality that guy. Obviously, as a striker or attacking midfielder, you always wait for these moments. He made it so well, so credit to Martinelli."

On whether Arsenal deserved the win: "It was quite an open game, but I think mostly we controlled it quite well. But football is made from moments like this. Overall, I think we played a very good game and can be proud of ourselves. Now we will recover and go again Saturday."

On bouncing back after two losses: "Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches. So we wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happened.

"We stick together as a group, we have so much more to come this season. Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles, and we're going to go for that."

On David Raya: "Unbelievable. I think still underestimated in the world of football, but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world. He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times, and we're very glad to have him."

Did you know?

• Arsenal have scored in their last 12 games in the Champions League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 15 games from 16th March 2016 to 12th December 2023.

• Arsenal are undefeated in their last 11 games in the Champions League, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2004-05).

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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This win was not a vintage Arsenal performance but beating Sporting could prove to be a pivotal moment in the Gunners' season.

Arsenal had been criticised after two successive defeats and looked like they would be frustrated again before Kai Havertz scored the dramatic winner.

Mikel Arteta's side struggled to create chances despite having more of the ball throughout - and currently do not have a forward player in top form as they look to win a major trophy for the first time in six years.

But by producing a resilient display in Lisbon against a quality Sporting side and grabbing the victory, Arsenal's players have received a huge injection of confidence heading into the business end of the season.

It would have been a very nervy atmosphere at the Emirates on Saturday against Bournemouth if the Gunners returned to league action after three winless fixtures.

But now they may be able to play with more freedom after shaking off the painful cup losses to Manchester City and Southampton.

The only negative for Arteta on Tuesday was that Martin Odegaard had to come off with a knock - his captain's campaign has been blighted by fitness problems.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

• Follow live text updates and BBC Radio 5 Live coverage of Sporting v Arsenal

David Raya starts in goal for Arsenal after not featuring in the past two cup games.

Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard also return to the starting line-up after missing the FA Cup loss at Southampton with injury.

Viktor Gyokeres leads the line against his former club. The Sweden international scored 97 goals in 102 games during his time at Sporting.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Madueke, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Salmon, Norgaard, Havertz, Martinelli, Dowman, Jesus.

Sporting starting XI: Rui Silva, Morita, Pedro Goncalves, Catamo, Francisco Trincao, Araujo, Fresneda, Goncalo Inacio, Diomande, Joao Simoes, Suarez.

Subs: Joao Virginia, Faye, Callai, Debast, Vagiannidis, Kochorasvili, Daniel Braganca, Flavio Goncalves, Eduardo Quaresma, Rafael Nel, Ricardo Mangas.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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Last week I wrote that there is a version of Arsenal's story this season that does not end in heartbreak. I stand by this assertion... but with a slightly heavier sense of dread.

Arsenal's exit from the FA Cup on Saturday does not have to be the disaster some fans feel it is, but I can't deny that the performance has added an additional layer to the run-in dread.

Arsenal simply are not playing well at the moment.

As we enter the final weeks of the season, there has always been the haunting memory of recent seasons where the title has slipped away. This has been omnipresent since we started this campaign.

But now, I also worry that Arsenal's more recent form, as well as the historic nightmare, is cause for concern.

There has been much discussion online about the last time Arsenal really played well, with suggestions as far back as the 4-1 win against Aston Villa in December.

Although the finish line is in sight, it is too soon for Arsenal to be crawling to the line and continuing their current form.

Oppositions will also sense that this is a side going through a difficult patch and ready for the taking.

It is easy to forget that the Gunners have scored more goals than any other Premier League side this season. They have also conceded fewer goals.

Put simply, Arsenal need to find the form that has taken them to the summit of the Premier League - and they need to find it quickly.

This is the form that will see them over the line, not the form that has seen them exit two cups in two weeks.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club panel discussed Arsenal teenager Max Dowman and how the club will ensure he avoids "high-pressure situations too frequently" during his development.

Since making his competitive debut in the Premier League against Leeds in August, Mikel Arteta has resisted the temptation to rush Dowman into the team.

But he started the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Saturday, in what was his fourth domestic cup appearance this season.

"The club have been really careful with Dowman for a couple of years to make sure he wasn't overexposed and to recognise the fact that he is only just 16," said The Observer's Rory Smith.

"There will be a temptation among fans to say he has no fear, he is completely free and there's no reason for him to think negatively.

"I think the club will be really conscious that you can't put him into intensely high-pressure situations too frequently. They have got to be really careful with him.

"Certainly if you find he's starting five or six games between now and the end of the season, it would be asking a lot of him. That's not to say he's not up to it and there is an argument that if he's good enough, he's old enough.

"But the club will be conscious of their duty of care to him in the long-term."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Scarlet Katz Roberts
Fan writer

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Every time Arsenal get a bad result, the circus music that has threatened to soundtrack this season, rises a little higher. League Cup? Sure we didn't want it badly - brush off the circumstances of having been bullied by Manchester City in the second half - and you can accept a losing outing to Wembley.

OK, what about the FA Cup, the nation's most romantic trophy - and Arsenal's most successful competition? Nah, we didn't need it this year, we know what we really want. Besides, Southampton are the form team in the Championship, and we played a heavily rotated XI.

But, the music.

It just so happens that these two soft crunch games have arrived before the real crunch time kicks in. The big dilemma is what do we take from them?

The individual errors, the poor performances, ghosting on the big stage, should we be worried? A ball hasn't been kicked in the Premier League charge since Max Dowman ran the length of the Emirates pitch three weeks ago to bury Everton, and yet everything has changed.

Like the lead we've built in the Premier League, progressing deep in four competitions bought us a slip up or two. For example, we can lose at the Etihad and everything will still be fine (laughs nervously). The problem is that going out of the cups has stolen our margin for error.

Most Arsenal fans really only dream of seeing the Premier League held aloft by Eberechi Eze in the May sunshine at Selhurst Park, Bukayo Saka beaming on the upper deck of an open top bus cruising down Gillespie Road. Don't we all?

But oh how an early settler in Lisbon would help the mood.

Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast, external

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has defended Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for his team selection against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton explained why Arteta was forced into making changes and why he would be "shocked" if it now impacts player confidence for the Premier League run-in.

"The EFL Cup final was the first team and the FA Cup team was essentially reserves and that is the big difference," said Sutton. "I have a bit of sympathy for Arteta because he clearly picked the wrong team, but he has to prioritise the Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon.

"I don't think it is going to affect the Premier League and I will be shocked if the players are feeling really nervous at this moment in time.

"Arsenal's fixtures [for the run-in] are a little bit more generous than Manchester City's so they have just got to keep their composure.

"People are looking for things and saying 'the wheels are coming off for Arsenal,' but the last team to drop points in the Premier League was Manchester City!"

However, The Observer's Rory Smith does not agree that choosing to play some of the 'reserves' is an excuse for the defeat when Arsenal have such a big squad.

"The one thing that has characterised Arsenal this season is their depth and that is the advantage they have on everyone else," said Smith. "We have been saying all season they have a squad that has two - or even three - players for every position.

"That seemed like it was a deliberate strategy to help them win a cup.

"They have built a squad to compete on four fronts so I'm not sure you can get knocked out of the FA Cup by a Championship team and then say 'it's fine because we played the fringe players.'"

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Arsenal have the edge over Liverpool in the pursuit of RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19. (Caught Offside, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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David Raya says Arsenal need to use the "pain" of their recent losses to pick up a positive result against Sporting and end the season in a strong way.

The Gunners come into the game having lost back-to-back games for the first time this season following losses to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final and Southampton in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Raya did not play either of those games himself as cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was given the nod.

"It is a disappointing moment," Raya said.

"We just have to use that fuel and that pain that we had after the game to pick it up for the rest of the season. It starts tomorrow. That is the most important game."

Arsenal are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and hope to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season in a row.

"I think we are in a really good position in both competitions," Raya said.

"It's that happiness that you have to have when you are out there playing. This is the most important part of the season now and we have to enjoy it."

Sporting head coach Rui Borges said that the Gunners are going to be like a "wounded beast" when the two sides line up on Wednesday night.

"It is a great team and great teams always want to win," Borges said.

"They want to be in all competitions. They will be like a wounded beast tomorrow. They will be more focused, more willing to show their collective and individual capacity.

"Frankly, I think it will make things more difficult for us the fact that they have not had the best two last matches.

"But Arsenal will be facing a very motivated team in us. We believe we can do something extraordinary tomorrow, something that has never been done by Sporting."