The Arsenal captain has paid a glowing tribute to one of their most important players ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.
Martin Odegaard is the first Gunners skipper to lift the Premier League trophy in the Emirates era, and the first since Patrick Vieira led the Invincibles in 2004.
Now, his focus turns to another piece of history.
Winning the Champions League would deliver Arsenal’s first ever European Cup and their first major European trophy since George Graham’s side lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
It’s Champions League final day, simple question: How are you feeling?
Ahead of the final in Budapest, Odegaard has singled out David Raya as a key figure in Arsenal’s leadership group.
David Raya’s influence at Arsenal goes far beyond what happens between the posts
Speaking to The Sun, Odegaard talked about the Raya’s growth as a presence within the dressing room since his arrival from Brentford.
“He’s so important for us and it’s great to have a character like him at the back for us as well,” Odegaard said
“He’s a leader in the dressing room for sure. He’s a guy who talks a lot and takes a lot of responsibility for the team.
“He helps me out a lot in terms of being a big part of the leadership group. He’s a great character to have around.”
Odegaard went on to describe the work Raya does off the pitch too. “Everyone can see his quality on the pitch but he brings a lot to the team and to the group. He’s really grown in that role and stature since he arrived here.
“When you look at our team, there are a lot of different leaders, and David is someone who does a lot of work behind the scenes.
“He talks a lot and he really cares about people and getting the best out of everyone. He’s a really big part of the group and a really strong leader.”
Arsenal fans…if David Raya isn’t Arsenal’s best Premier League goalkeeper ever, then who is?
Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford in the summer of 2023, initially on loan before signing permanently for £30 million.
He has since won three consecutive Premier League Golden Gloves, been named one of the five best goalkeepers in the world by Spain manager Luis De La Fuente, and been backed by Jamie Carragher as the best goalkeeper in England.
On Saturday night in Budapest, he will look to add a Champions League winners’ medal to that list.
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