There’s no doubt that David Raya has been one of our standout players this season if not the best outright, he’s single handedly won us more than six points arguably in this campaign with him pulling off mesmerizing saves in each of the opening games of the new campaign.
The save from Strand Larsen’s header against Wolves was followed up by another world class save in the game against Aston Villa, as we would all remember in the first two games of the season. You would have thought he won’t be bettering that save against Watkins any time soon in his career only for him to pull off one of the best saves I’ve seen against Atalanta on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta surely thinks so when speaking to the Arsenal media after that game, He said “We didn’t suffer defensively at all, but in one action we conceded a penalty and we needed two of the best saves that I’ve seen in my career from David to stay in the game”
These comments perfectly doing justice to what an excellent piece of goalkeeping it was. Along with these string of saves in these key matches, Raya has also impressed in the stats, with him currently having a save percentage rate of 93.3% for saving 14 out of the 15 shots on target he’s faced this season, while keeping three clean sheets in the league along the way, impressive!
He’s on a truly magnificent run this season and what might be a crucial factor to this could be the departure of England international Aaron Ramsdale in the recent transfer window, some gooners don’t think that the departure has anything to do with it, but I beg to differ.
The assurance of him being trusted as the number one without Ramsdale’s threat has boosted his confidence massively therefore allowing him to play with more freedom, he just looks much more composed and assured in his approach than last season which has greatly been an asset to us this campaign.
The absence of proper competition should not make him too comfortable. Though however given the way he’s been playing this season, it’s proving to not be so!
KENNETH BENJAMIN.
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Yes. He’s been wonderful so far
I’m very happy with him
One thing for sure he has silenced his critics and vindicated the gaffer in the process , he has now put himself in the conversation when talking about inform shot stoppers.
He technically cannot silence his critics when his previous performances were not impressive. Same as Havertz before his change of position. Same as Arteta when he was 8th, 8th and out of Europe.
The correct term should be “he has won over his critics”
I think he is – certainly on the limited number of games played so far.
Whether that’s really a good thing or not is open to debate. At this stage, I suspect it would be preferable for our “best player” to be, say, a striker or midfielder, but there we are. Raya has saved Arsenal on more than one occasion this season, so we’re fortunate to have him.
No Bertie.
We’re not fortunate.
We paid plenty money
No doubt about that Raya had been very imperative this season so far. As are lucky to have him. For me is one of the best prayer so far this current campaign.