David Raya confident Arsenal's trophy wait will end soon ahead of Real Madrid showdown

With Real Madrid standing in their way, the Gunners face their biggest test yet in their quest for European glory.

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have already tasted success, lifting the FA Cup in 2020 and securing two Community Shields. However, the club has since struggled to add to that tally, with setbacks in domestic competitions this season - including a League Cup exit to Newcastle and a heartbreaking FA Cup penalty loss to Manchester United.

With a 12-point gap between Arsenal and Premier League leaders Liverpool, the Champions League remains their last shot at silverware. But Raya is far from discouraged.

"This club is incredible, and we're moving in the right direction," Raya told Sky Sports' One on One podcast. "Success is only a matter of time."

Despite their rich history, Arsenal have never won the Champions League. Now, with 15-time champions Real Madrid in their path, they face the ultimate test.

"Everybody dreams of winning the Champions League, but we know how tough it is," Raya admitted. "Last year, we were so close against Bayern Munich. Now, we have more experience, and we're ready for the challenge."

For Raya, this tie carries personal significance. Raised just outside Barcelona, he grew up immersed in the rivalry between Barça and Real Madrid. Now, he finds himself preparing to face Los Blancos in one of the biggest games of his career-an opportunity that has sparked a flood of ticket requests from family and friends.

Raya's rise to Champions League football has been anything but conventional. From playing in England's fifth tier with Southport to now guarding Arsenal's goal on Europe's biggest stage, his path has been marked by perseverance and setbacks.

His early days at Blackburn Rovers were far from smooth. After making his debut against Leeds, he was promoted to the first team at ju  st 19 years old - only to be dropped after a rough start to the season.

"That was one of the hardest moments of my career," he reflected. "I didn't play a league game for 18 months. I went from second-choice to third-choice with no explanation. But those experiences made me stronger."

During his loan spell at Southport, Raya witnessed firsthand the dedication of semi-professional players balancing football with full-time jobs.

"We were part-time. Some of my teammates would finish a match at 8pm, get home at 4am, and then wake up for work at 6am. It gave me a whole new level of respect for the love of the game."

From the non-league trenches to the Champions League spotlight, Raya's journey has been one of resilience. Now, he stands on the brink of history with Arsenal.

Can the Gunners finally break their European curse? Raya believes it's only a matter of time. The challenge against Real Madrid will be their toughest yet, but with confidence and experience growing, Arsenal's moment could be just around the corner.

READ MORE: Rasmus Hojlund clarifies Ronaldo-inspired celebration after Denmark's win over Portugal