The season has only just begun, but where would Arsenal be without David Raya?
Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United owed everything to the Spaniard. His seven saves, more than any other goalkeeper on matchday one, ensured the Gunners did not drop points in a game that demanded resilience.
Against Leeds, Raya was called into action just once, but that single save proved crucial in Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 victory.
Raya’s big moment
Leeds started brightly, denying Arsenal any clear sight of goal early on. They could have taken the lead, but Raya produced a brilliant stop to deny Pascal Struijk’s header from a corner, preventing what might have been a momentum-shifting opener. That save certainly left an impression.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted afterwards: “[After 35 minutes] we had probably the best chance in the game with Pascal Struijk’s header and the fantastic save of David Raya. We accept that they were the better team today, they deserved to win this game, and for us it is not a season-defining game”.
Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports during half-time analysis, added: “[Raya is] such a fantastic goalkeeper, he really is. His concentration, gets his hands up, he is so agile and that is actually a real difference for them”
You can also watch Raya’s save here via Best Saves GK on X.
Crucial to Arsenal’s clean sheet
Arsenal may have run out 5-0 winners, but the game could have taken a very different turn had Leeds gone ahead. Without Raya’s intervention, the visitors might have had a lead to protect, settling into a low block and forcing Arsenal to chase the game.
While Viktor Gyökeres and Max Dowman grabbed the headlines, Raya, despite making just one save, deserves his flowers. That moment mattered.
If he continues in this form, Arsenal fans may dream not only of the Golden Boot but also of the Golden Glove finding its way to North London.
Thoughts?
Daniel O
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2 clean sheets in a row. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier league.
Although we need to thank our defenders too for the clean sheets
Hopefully there will be more to come
Good goalkeeper, but needs to stop picking up stupid yellow cards for time wasting. And be more aware of his positioning when he’s off his line. He’s a lob waiting to happen, and its happened twice already.
But no doubting his shot stopping abilities along with his agility.
Derek
I agree 100%.
In particular, I do not understand, and have never understood, why Raya consistently risks (and gets) yellow cards for time wasting.
Most/all of the yellow cards he has were picked up (as against Utd) way before the end of the game so gave Arsenal no prospect of any advantage in running down the clock. Also, referees add time on for such cards at the end of each half anyway – so what is the point?
Sooner or later, Raya will get caught out with a second yellow for something else – and Sod’s Law possibly not his fault – and he’ll be off. Someone needs to sit him down and explain before that happens.
Crucial to the clean sheet against Leeds, but not as crucial as the several saves he made against Utd – they kept Arsenal in the lead and, possibly, in the game.
We should have got in Donnarumma instead of Kela, to keep him on his toes. Just saying…
I strongly doubt Donnarumma would join Arsenal or any club just to be an alternative to the established keeper. He has just won the Treble with PSG after all.
In any case, according to reports earlier today he’s agreed terms with City.
Bertie,
You took the words right out of my mouth regarding Donnarumma, and being a back-up keeper. Treble winners are normally the number 1 choice.
Mind you having said that, PSG did let him go.😂👍