David Raya has characterized Porto’s injury-time winning goal as a ‘good finish’ following Arsenal’s defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Despite Mikel Arteta’s side appearing destined for a goalless draw, Porto capitalized on a loose pass from Gabriel Martinelli, enabling Galeno to curl a fine effort past Raya from the edge of Arsenal’s penalty area.
While Raya has faced criticism over his positioning for the goal, the Spaniard maintains that there was little he could have done to prevent Galeno’s strike.
‘Of course, it’s a tough one to take to concede in the last minute but it’s half time, we’ve still got to play at home and we have to go there and win the game,’ Raya told TNT Sports.
When asked about Porto’s goal, Raya said: ‘It was a few things before that, I think we should’ve managed a little bit more in that stage of the game, we were 0-0 away from home, we should’ve kept the calmness a little bit more.
‘But it’s a good finish, it’s a good finish from outside the box, that’s what happens in football.’
Despite the defeat, Raya expressed optimism about Arsenal’s defensive performance against Porto.
‘I think we played a really good game, especially defensively, they didn’t create much, they had a few counter-attacks but we defended very well.
‘It’s like I said, we should’ve managed a little bit more the last minutes of the game.
‘But it’s half time, we’ve got a game at the Emirates with our fans, and we’re going to go there, try to win the game and go through.
‘We are confident, we know what we’re capable of, we know we have a better level to play, especially at home with our fans, we’re going to meet them there and try to win the game.’