Arsenal Premier League Triumph Boosts Confidence Ahead Of Champions League Final

David Raya says winning the Premier League title has lifted Arsenal’s belief before the Champions League final. Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for a 14th English top-flight trophy last week. The team will now meet PSG on Saturday in Budapest in European club football’s showpiece match.

If Arsenal defeat PSG, the club will become the 25th different winner of the Champions League or European Cup. Arsenal would also be only the fourth club to lift that trophy in the same season as becoming champions of England. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have all completed that double before.

Raya believes the domestic success changed the squad’s mindset after three straight seasons as runners-up behind Manchester City. Arsenal edged past Manchester City in this campaign’s title race. Raya feels that achievement gives Mikel Arteta’s side fresh authority as the group prepares for the Champions League final against PSG.

Reflecting on the Premier League win, Raya explained how long the objective has shaped the club’s work. "It was essential; it's been the goal ever since I arrived here, and even before that," Raya told Diario AS about the Gunners' title success. "This club exists to compete and challenge for the top honours, and the Premier League was one of them. We've achieved it, and now it's going to give us a huge boost as we head into the Champions League final."

Arsenal’s path to Budapest has relied heavily on defensive control. Raya has recorded nine clean sheets in this season’s Champions League. No goalkeeper has ever reached 10 shutouts in a single edition. The back line has allowed very few chances in many matches, which also supported the Premier League title push.

Raya praised the collective effort behind those numbers and described personal confidence at this stage of the season. "Personally, I think I'm in a really, really good phase. It's not just down to me personally; I think the clean sheets we've managed are down to the whole team," Raya added. "I'm absolutely delighted and confident in the work we've done as a team."

Champions League final meeting with Luis Enrique and Spain context

This week, Raya is also named among three goalkeepers in Luis De la Fuente's Spain squad for the World Cup. In Budapest, however, Raya will meet PSG coach Luis Enrique. Luis Enrique handed Raya a senior Spain debut in March 2022, creating an extra narrative around the Champions League final.

Raya spoke with respect about the coach who first selected Raya for the national team and discussed tactical plans. "I know him well. He gave me my debut with the national team, and I hold him in very high regard. We know he's a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant manager and a great person," Raya added. "He's always tweaking things to make life difficult for our opponents, but we hope to win that battle and come out on top in the Champions League final. We know we're strong from set-pieces, and hopefully we can score a goal from a set-piece in the final!"