If you thought Arsenal were wobbling after those back-to-back losses to City and Southampton, think again. Mikel Arteta walked out of the Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday night looking like a man who’d just seen his team pass the ultimate character test. It wasn’t pretty, and for 90 minutes it looked like another frustrating night, but Kai Havertz’s 91st-minute winner has completely flipped the script on the Gunners’ season.
“We Had a Point to Prove”
Arteta didn’t mince words after the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final win. Coming off their first consecutive defeats of the season, the boss admitted the pressure was on.
“It was a big night, a big moment in the season,” Arteta told reporters. “Especially where we were coming from. We had a point to prove. I talked about identity yesterday, and I saw that on the pitch tonight.”
He praised the “chemistry” of the squad, noting how subs like Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli—who provided the crucial lobbed assist—stayed ready despite not starting. For Arteta, this wasn’t just about a goal; it was about the “organic” way the team reacted when their backs were against the wall.
The Raya Masterclass
While Havertz will get the headlines for the goal, Arteta spent most of his post-match interview searching for adjectives for David Raya. The keeper was arguably the only reason Arsenal were still in the game by stoppage time, pulling off a world-class early save against Maxi Araujo and a massive double-stop late in the second half.
“He’s extraordinary, magnificent, and incredible,” Arteta beamed. “I don’t know the right adjective. We are so happy to have him.” Even Havertz chimed in, claiming Raya is still “underestimated” despite being the best in the world for the last two seasons.
Eyes on the Prize
With a 1-0 lead to take back to the Emirates next Wednesday, Arsenal find themselves in a commanding position to reach back-to-back Champions League semi-finals—a feat the club has never achieved.
But there’s no time to celebrate. Arteta was quick to pivot back to the domestic race, where Arsenal have a chance to move 12 points clear of Manchester City this weekend if results go their way. The “pain” of the last week seems to have been the fuel they needed.