Kai Havertz hails Arsenal turnaround in Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon

LISBON – Arsenal’s 1-0 away win over Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final was a big turnaround for the English club, after the back-to-back defeats in the League Cup and FA Cup, attacker Kai Havertz said.

The 26-year-old scored the late winner against the Portuguese side on April 7 after coming on as a substitute, to give Arsenal an advantage heading into next week’s return leg in London.

He deftly took down a pass from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli before beating Rui Silva in the Sporting goal in stoppage time.

“Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches, so we wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happen,” the German told Amazon Prime.

Arsenal’s quadruple hopes have been downgraded to a double this season, following their defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final in March and shock loss to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.

However, Havertz said the north London club can still end the season with trophies.

“We stick together as a group, we have so much more to come this season. Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles, and we’re going to go for that,” he said.

Manager Mikel Arteta called the win “a big moment in the season”.

He said: “It was a big night, a big moment in the season. Especially where we were coming from. We had a point to prove.

“Yesterday I talked about identity and the things that I wanted to see on that pitch. It certainly happened. There was a shift there, against a big opponent.”

Key to the big night was David Raya, who was hailed as the world’s best goalkeeper by Havertz.

The shot-stopper tipped Maximiliano Araujo’s drive onto the crossbar and kept out Geny Catamo’s low effort, before making another fine stop to parry Catamo’s header late in the second half.

Raya’s return to the team was vital after he was rested for the League Cup and FA Cup losses.

His deputy Kepa Arrizabalaga made a costly mistake that led to City’s opener at Wembley – a stark contrast to the former Brentford star’s heroics in Lisbon.

“Unbelievable. I think still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best ’keeper in the world,” Havertz said.

“He’s outstanding, he’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Arteta echoed Havertz’s verdict after Raya’s seventh clean sheet in the Champions League this season.

“He’s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him,” the Gunners boss said of his fellow Spaniard.

“He had two moments where he made two big saves... The Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there’s so much quality here.”

Raya has kept 13 clean sheets from 23 Champions League games since the start of last season, the best record of any custodian.

He felt his first save from Araujo was the decisive moment in the game as it kept Arsenal afloat in a difficult period.

“I think that’s a turning moment. It was a quick transition from them, great strike but I managed to get a fingertip to it to hit the bar. It’s one of those moments that can change games,” he said.

“It’s something that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball.

“You have to be focused no matter what you’re doing, whether you’re touching the ball or not.”

Sporting, meanwhile, were left to rue their first home loss since Aug 30, 2025.

Said Sporting coach Rui Borges: “It’s only natural to feel a bit frustrated after the great game we played here against a top-class side. If you look at the 92 minutes, we had three or four clear-cut chances, whereas they had none apart from the disallowed goal. We just needed to be a bit sharper in front of goal.”

Araujo added: “The important thing is that we created chances down both flanks and did what we’ve been working on. A momentary lapse in concentration ended up costing us the match, but there are plenty of positives.” REUTERS, AFP