Arne Slot heaps praise on one Arsenal star despite Champions League exit, ‘Not every chance…’

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Arsenal have to put their Champions League disappointment behind them as they prepare to travel to Anfield.

Troy Deeney’s demand to Arsenal is to refuse to give Liverpool a guard of honour and lay down a marker for their Premier League challenge next season.

Arsenal know that the clash at Anfield is already the beginning of their quest for glory next season and Ian Wright has backed Mikel Arteta to deliver a trophy.

Andrea Berta witnessed Arsenal’s weakness during their Champions League semi-final defeat after missing numerous chances but Liverpool Arne Slot has singled out one Gunners star for high praise.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s rivals think ‘best striker in Europe’ is now on his way to the Emirates as Andrea Berta’s first signing

Arne Slot praises David Raya for Champions League display

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool v Arsenal, Slot was asked his thoughts on the Champions League semi-final matches.

It was put to Slot that the Inter Milan v Barcelona game was more entertaining than Arsenal’s defeat to PSG but the Liverpool boss disagreed and highlighted his thinking behind it.

Slot explained: “Was it [Inter v Barcelona] that much more entertaining and that much better or was it because every chance in Inter v Barcelona that there was, led to a goal? All of a sudden it’s 3-3 or 4-3 and everyone is like wow.

“But maybe the same amount of chances were there with Arsenal playing Paris Saint Germain but not every chance was a goal because of both goalkeepers.”

David Raya was excellent in Paris, he pulled off a penalty save to deny Vitinha with the game still in the balance and was unlucky to be beaten by Fabian Ruiz’s deflected strike in the first half.

Arsenal need to qualify for next season’s Champions League

The Gunners’ participation in next season’s Champions League is yet to be confirmed with Arteta’s side’s recent slump in domestic form.

Arsenal’s Champions League permutations are clear, they require one win from their remaining three Premier League matches.

That task is easier said than done however, with a trip to Anfield and a clash with high-flying Newcastle before a final day outing to Southampton.

Arsenal will not want to drag their season out to the final day as anything can happen when nerves are involved and the pressure is off the Saints with their relegation already confirmed.