Martin Keown believes that David Raya has proven his critics wrong and won over fans with his impressive performance in the Champions League, transforming doubts into confidence and bringing the team together.

Martin Keown, the former Arsenal defender turned sports pundit, has hailed goalkeeper David Raya for his outstanding performance in the UEFA Champions League clash against Porto. Raya’s heroics in the penalty shootout propelled the Gunners into the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament.

Raya, who arrived at Arsenal on loan from Brentford during the summer transfer window, has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice between the sticks this season, displacing Aaron Ramsdale. The Spanish shot-stopper showcased his mettle by saving two penalties from Wendell and Galeno, ultimately securing a 4-2 victory for his side.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Keown expressed his admiration for Raya’s transformation, stating, “There was an anxiety in the stadium when he first came into the Arsenal team. You see now, there’s a belief in him and there’s a unity now.”

Keown also lauded the team’s character, describing their penalty-taking as “world class” and “immense.”

The victory against Porto has injected a renewed sense of energy into the Emirates Stadium, with Keown noting, “There’s an electricity now in the stadium that we haven’t seen for many a year. That’s 14 years since they’ve made it to this quarter-final stage, so we just need to feed off of that.”

As Arsenal progresses further in the competition, fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipate their next challenge. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling journey.