David Raya, the 30-year-old Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper, spoke candidly about the 2025-2026 Champions League final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in an interview with The Guardian. The penalty shootout loss hurt the keeper, but he hasn’t forgotten the pride he felt after a truly great season.
Raya: “We were so, so, so close…”
The thing is, when you lose a Champions League final, when you get there for the first time in 20 years and you lose on penalties, it breaks you inside. I left there with my head held high because of everything we had achieved during the season, but I was devastated inside because we were so, so, so close…
Raya “You understand what you’ve achieved.”
The night was very tough, and the following morning was too. But when you arrive at the Emirates and see the fans, it lifts your spirits. “When you get off the bus with the Premier League trophy and you see the crowd, what it means to them, you understand what you’ve achieved.”
David Raya doesn’t hide it; the moment was devastating. One can only imagine the immense disappointment of defeat after so much effort, in a season that could have been historic. The Premier League/Champions League double would have been unforgettable, especially since it would have been Arsenal’s first Champions League title.
Defeat can always be painful, and it’s even more so in a penalty shootout, with the feeling that the match could have gone either way on the smallest details. You have to accept it and move on, especially since most of the players, like Raya, are now focused on the World Cup.
Arsenal also had their parade in London already planned for the day after the final to at least celebrate the Premier League title. This helped, at least a little, to lift their spirits and keep in mind that it was all over. Likewise, a very good season of which the Gunners can be proud.
