'In our veins': Arsenal pushed by pain of Champions League final defeat, says Raya

Raya says Arsenal are driven by last season's Champions League final penalty loss to PSG and must win the competition this year to move past the pain.

David Raya has revealed that Arsenal are using the sting of losing the Champions League final on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain last season as motivation to go further this year. The Spain goalkeeper produced a crucial save against Slavia Prague on Wednesday to help Arsenal move to third in the league with 10 points from four matches.

Raya admitted the final defeat in Budapest continues to haunt him and his teammates. "It is something that is going to live with us and hopefully we can win the Champions League to get that out of us. But it has to be in our veins. It has to be on us to make it better this year," he said.

Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund at home this month before hosting Real Madrid on 9 December in a fixture that could prove decisive for finishing in the top two and securing home advantage in the knockout stages. Raya credited self-belief and hard work as key to his consistent performances, noting that the support of the coaching staff gives him the extra motivation needed week after week.