What Aaron Ramsdale was seen doing after David Raya penalty heroics for Arsenal v Porto

Add as preferred source on Google

Aaron Ramsdale was spotted doing one thing after David Raya carried Arsenal to a penalty shootout victory over Porto on Tuesday evening.

Aaron Ramsdale was one of the first to congratulate David Raya for his penalty shootout heroics, as Arsenal secured passage to the quarter finals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years.

It has already been a rollercoaster week for Ramsdale. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was handed his first Premier League start since November against Brentford on Saturday, as Raya was ineligible to play against his parent club whilst on loan at the Emirates Stadium.

After being guilty of a howler in the first half against the Bees, Ramsdale redeemed himself in the eyes of Arsenal fans with two valuable saves after the break. The Gunners won that match, securing their return to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since Christmas.

That game may well prove to have been the England man’s last for the north London club. Arsenal are aware that Ramsdale is all but certain to leave the club this summer. Whilst he remains, though, he is still clearly emotionally invested in the Gunners’ cause. 

Raya made two outstanding saves in the penalty shootout on Tuesday evening, after the two-legged tie ended 1-1 on aggregate. As shown on TNT Sports, Ramsdale was quick to give Raya an enormous hug as a reward for his efforts. 

David Raya justifies Mikel Arteta’s faith in him at Arsenal with Porto heroics

The Spaniard had not had a great deal to do between the sticks throughout the ninety minutes or in extra time. When Mikel Arteta really need him to step up, though, he did. His shootout performance will have gone a long way towards justifying the faith that the manager has shown in him throughout the season, following his controversial decision to install the loanee as the Arsenal No. 1 ahead of Ramsdale in the first place. 

Raya now looks like an assured presence between the sticks for Arsenal, and his antics against Porto will have given his confidence another huge boost. Raya drew some criticism from Arsenal fans for his display in the first-leg of this round of 16 tie, but he more than made up for that perceived error on Tuesday. 

All focus at Arsenal will now turn to their upcoming clash with Manchester City, which they will contest on the other side of the imminent international break.