Arsenal plan revealed that sparked David Raya penalty heroics as Aaron Ramsdale plays his part

When the full-time whistle went on Tuesday night, and a penalty shootout was confirmed, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a beeline for the bench.

Weaving his way through team-mates, the Spaniard searched for Gunners goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana and together they went over the plan for what was to come.

Arsenal have been practicing penalties all season and No2 Aaron Ramsdale joined in the discussion as they went through Porto’s expected takers.

Cana and his staff had worked out every players’ preferred side and the percentage of times they go left, right or down the middle with their penalties.

Often goalkeepers have that information written on their water bottle, but Raya had memorised it before the game and the chat before the shootout with Cana was just to confirm what he already knew.

“We had a plan of going one side or the other, depending on the players,” Raya said. “You study them and, as well with the players, they study goalkeepers. It is just credit to the GK department that it has paid off.”

The hard work certainly did pay off, with Raya saving two of the four penalties he faced to send Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2010.

He almost kept out a third too, going the right way for Marko Grujic’s effort but not having quite a strong enough hand to keep it out.

“I should have saved three,” admitted Raya to CBS Sports. “I don’t think the goalie coach will be happy with the third one that I conceded.”

Much has been made about Arsenal’s need to be more streetwise, but Raya showed during the shootout that he is exactly that.

The Spaniard took time retreating to his line when players stepped up, intimidatingly standing in front of them and making them wait.

For Galeno’s crucial spot-kick, Raya argued the ball wasn’t on the spot and the Porto winger was forced to reposition the ball. Moments later, his effort was saved and Arsenal were through.

David Raya on his penalty heroics

“You just put pressure on them, try to get into their heads,” explained Raya. “You have to focus on yourself and try to give the biggest advantage that you can.”

It was not an easy start to life at Arsenal for Raya, who joined on loan from Brentford in the summer.

He has replaced the hugely popular Ramsdale as the Gunners’ No1, but Tuesday night’s heroics will have won over any remaining doubters.

Ramsdale and Raya shared a huge hug after the match, which underlines just how united the current Arsenal squad is.

It is also a testament as to how Raya’s heroics were not down to just him alone, with the 28-year-old believing competition from Ramsdale has made him better.