Raya hails Arsenal response as Bayern Munich trip looms

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has praised his side’s response to last month’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton after a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday made it three straight victories since the international break. Noni Madueke’s late goal secured the result before the Premier League champions visit Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Raya called the turnaround “incredible”, though he said Arsenal still had room to improve. Raya referred to the 19 days after the Brighton defeat before Arsenal played again.

“We came back very, very strong, especially after that tough defeat against Brighton and having 19 days since then to play a game,” Raya told Arsenal’s website. He said he was delighted with Arsenal’s performances since their return to action.

A late breakthrough at Forest

Madueke’s deflected strike in the 80th minute was Arsenal’s only shot on target at the City Ground. It secured the 1-0 win.

Raya pointed to Arsenal’s maturity and desire. “Keep doing the right things and the ball will get into the net,” he said, adding that the side had shown maturity in securing the win.

The goalkeeper also recalled Arsenal’s previous visits to Forest, saying they had drawn 0-0 there in the last two years. This time, he felt they showed the character to keep digging for a result, with crosses and balls from Bukayo Saka contributing to the eventual breakthrough.

Raya was pleased for Madueke, whose goal decided the contest. He described Forest as a difficult ground and a difficult team, making the late winner particularly meaningful for the goalscorer.

Bayern Munich next

Wednesday’s visit to Bayern Munich now gives Arsenal their next test in the Champions League. They go into it with three wins from three since regrouping after the international break, having answered their Brighton defeat with results.

Raya said Arsenal would take the positives from those performances while recognising that there were still things to improve. “We just take the positives and we’re looking forward to Wednesday now,” he said.

The Forest victory offered another example of Arsenal finding a result when clear chances were limited. The manner of the victory demonstrated Arsenal’s ongoing ability to grind out results, a quality much in evidence during last season’s title-winning triumph. Raya said they were looking forward to Wednesday.