Arsenal will face Sporting CP away from home in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Ahead of the match, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya attended a press conference.
Q: First, could you reflect on Saturday's game, which marked our first consecutive defeats this season? What signs have you seen from the players since then that ensure the team won't slide into a state of decline?
A: First, we need to objectively acknowledge how hard-won the achievements the team has made so far are. Of course, we need to feel the pain and emotions of this defeat, but more importantly, turn it into motivation to become better and keep progressing.
We have reviewed everything that happened and the root causes of the defeat very clearly. After watching the match replay twice, we believe we shouldn't have lost so badly, but that's football.
We paid the price for problems that contradict our football philosophy—these are exactly the things we need to strive to uphold, the core elements that have brought us to where we are today.
Q: After these two consecutive defeats, has the importance of this match been elevated to another level? It is already a blockbuster showdown; have these two defeats given it more significance?
A: I don't think this has changed the weight of this match. Even if we had won our last game, this is still the Champions League quarter-finals, the highest stage there is. We have fought hard throughout the season to reach this position in this competition.
We are well aware of the record and past performances of the opponent we are about to face. Therefore, we are more eager for victory than ever, full of expectations for this match, and have abundant motivation.
Q: Can I confirm the situation of several players? Gabriel, has he recovered from his injury and is he available to play?
A: Yes.
Q: What about Declan Rice?
A: He is available to play.
Q: What about Leandro Trossard?
A: Yes.
Q: And Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber—they didn't participate in training today; have they encountered some problems?
A: They are not ready to play yet. We'll see how things go; if everything goes smoothly, we hope they can return for the weekend match. The players' successive returns will be a great boost for us, as we have lost too many key players recently, which is a situation we must reverse immediately.
Q: The next week is destined to be a hellish schedule, isn't it? You just mentioned that the players are more eager for victory than ever. In what ways does this eagerness manifest itself?
A: In many ways. The way they communicate, the way they express their feelings, and the exchanges we had after the match.
Q: Do you see a winning determination in this team? What makes the characteristics and team spirit of this team so special?
A: More importantly, I know what all this means to them and how eager they are for victory. And now is the time to show this eagerness; we must put on the highest level of performance on the pitch tomorrow.
Q: Recently, there have been some doubts from the outside world about the team's mentality and mental attributes. Do you think this will inspire the players' fighting spirit?
A: When you play for this club and stand on this level of the pitch, external doubts will never disappear; this is the norm. You must live in the present and put in the required performance every day.
Q: Do you always see the team respond? Just like we saw at the beginning of the season, after the first match of the season, there were doubts from the outside world asking "Can Arsenal do it this season?" It has been like this for the past nine months and won't change in the future.
A: You can't choose matches, can't choose moments, can't only perform well in specific actions—every move, every match, every moment, we must adhere to the standards we set for ourselves. This is part of our football philosophy and part of this club.
