SLAVIA PRAGUE 1-2 ARSENAL: David Raya came up trumps for the Gunners in Czechia as they picked up three crucial Champions League points on the road at Fortuna Arena

David Raya insists Arsenal must keep last season's Champions League final pain "in our veins" if they are to become continental kings this term.

The Spaniard, who still feels deeply wounded by May's penalty-shootout heartbreak to PSG in Budapest, believes the Gunners are now capable of going one better in Europe.

He said following Wednesday's hard-fought triumph over Slavia Prague: "I think it is never going to be out of the system.

"I think it is something that is going to live with us - and hopefully we can win the Champions League to get that out of us. But it has to be in our veins. It has to be on us to make it better this year."

Raya initially bemoaned Arsenal's complacency in attack as Mikel Arteta's slack Premier League winners enabled Slavia to battle their way back into the contest.

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However, he also feels Viktor Gyokeres deserves great personal credit for his instrumental showing after scoring and assisting Noni Madueke's opener.

Gyokeres now has eight goal involvements (five goals, three assists) across his last 10 starts for the Gunners in all competitions.

"Obviously it is not easy not playing, and not playing the minutes that you want," Raya explained. "But we have a very, very good squad - where everybody is available now - and this performance is going to be really good for him. It is going to give him a lot of confidence. We know how good he is in these types of games and with this type of football. We are really, really happy for him."

Additionally, the win would not have been possible without Raya. While the 31-year-old may have missed out on the Yashin Trophy to international team-mate Unai Simon, many feel he is now the world's best goalkeeper.

His save to deny Oskar Kubiak, whose header he scooped onto the post and away, proved pivotal.

Raya continued: "It is not just me. As I have always said, it is 11 players defending very well and not giving too many chances. At the end of the day, it is a team effort. It is a team thing to keep as many clean sheets as we can, because it makes it easier for us to win games.

"Belief is really important, but hard work [is, too]. I work very hard during the week to try and help the team as much as possible on these types of nights. It is just the belief that I have in myself, and the belief the staff - the goalie coach - has in me and the team.

"That gives you that extra edge and motivation to keep doing it every single week, and the consistency I have been playing with throughout the years is a key factor for us."

Another key brick is about to be placed in the Great Wall of Arsenal. William Saliba was back among the subs following his lengthy lay-off and Raya could not be happier - even if Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes have taken care of business impeccably in the Frenchman's absence.

Raya concluded: "I was so happy when I saw him back in training with us. I gave him a big hug just before the training started. I am really pleased for him. It was not an easy injury - and he played through it last season. We are just so happy to have him back."