Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya knows exactly what awaits his team when it faces Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and the Spaniard had plenty of praise for the opposition ahead of Wednesday’s showdown at the Allianz Arena.
Raya began by sending his best wishes to Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany, who is reportedly unwell ahead of the match.
“We heard that Vincent [Kompany] is not well, so we want to send a speedy recovery to him,” Raya said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
The Arsenal goalkeeper also acknowledged the quality of Bayern Munich’s football and the significance of facing one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
“Every Champions League game is a big game. We know that Bayern Munich play incredible football and we know how good they are. It’s a big game, no matter the stage of the season. It’s good to be playing in these games,” he said.
Raya was equally complimentary when discussing Harry Kane, who could pose a major threat to Arsenal’s defensive setup.
“We know how good Harry Kane is. I think his stats speak for themselves. He’s a threat, not just in the box, but dropping deep and receiving the ball and being like another midfielder giving assists as well. He’s a great player, he’s having a great season and nominated for the Ballon d’Or. We’ll see who wins that,” Raya said.
Finally, Raya reserved special praise for Manuel Neuer, a goalkeeper he considers a major influence on his own career.
“I like every single thing about Manuel Neuer. He’s a legend of the game. What he’s done and what he’s achieved is remarkable. I can only say good things about him. He’s been a great role model for young goalkeepers, I looked up to him. It’s a pleasure to share the pitch with him. Hopefully he’s fit enough to play tomorrow,” Raya said.
The mutual respect is clear, but come kickoff, Raya will need to find a way to keep Kane and Bayern’s attack at bay. For Arsenal, that could be the difference between leaving Munich with a statement result and enduring a difficult night against one of Europe’s most dangerous sides.
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