Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya is in a league of his own after displaying jaw-dropping saves so early in the season.
The 29-year-old pulled off one of his best ever saves in the 0-0 draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday. Fans thought that the Spaniard’s double save to deny Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins would be a contender for save of the season.
But Raya has bettered it by saving a penalty by Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui and then somehow crawled back to block a follow-up header from the striker.
Raya has just been stupidly good this season. Phenomenal double save and perhaps concerningly Arsenal’s standout player of the season so far IMO.
Arteta totally justified for bringing him in.#arsenal pic.twitter.com/9T0t9Cud78
— Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️ (@pythaginboots) September 19, 2024
He is reminding the world of why Arsenal signed him permanently from Brentford this summer. Manager Mikel Arteta is in awe of his brilliant agility and reflexes.
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Raya conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League last season and was awarded the Golden Glove for the same. He has continued where he left off by winning the PL save of the month accolade for August.
He will need to perform more of his heroics when the Gunners face Manchester City on Sunday. But before that, let’s have a look at the keeper’s five best saves for Arsenal that will blow your mind.
DAVID RAYA’S 5 BEST SAVES FOR ARSENAL
1. The one against Atalanta | September 2024
Arsenal travelled to Bergamo to play their first Champions League clash against Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions. It was not an easy match for the Gunners, and the first half provided little action.
In the next break, Thomas Partey was found guilty of pulling Ederson to the ground, handing a penalty to the Italian outfit. However, Raya saved the blushes of his teammates with a mesmerising save in the second half.
David Raya double save ⛔🦸♂️#UCL pic.twitter.com/Qje2kEyLQG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 20, 2024
The former Brentford star pulled off a double save to first deny Retegui from scoring through a penalty and then stop his follow-up header. Raya guessed the right way and paved the ball away with his strong hands. But he also showed quick agility to get up and save the rebound effort from the Atalanta ace.
The fans were stunned watching this, and the players hugged him in jubilation. Arteta in his post-match interview said:
“I witnessed two of the best saves of my career from David in that moment.”
He was so good that even Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini couldn’t believe what he saw from the Arsenal shot-stopper. He said:
“He’s a cat. The first save is good but the rebound is unbelievable. I believe the goalkeeper has been crucial.”
2. The one against Aston Villa | August 2024
The Gooners wrapped up all three points against the Villians in the Premier League, and they have to thank Raya for that.
Both sides failed to break the deadlock, and the game was heading into halftime. However, Ollie Watkins was desperate to open his account, and he got a glorious chance to do so.
Amadou Onana’s deflected shot looped over Raya, but he somehow managed to dive back and push it towards the crossbar. The ball bounced off the bar and came straight to Watkins, who had all the time and space in the world to aim for the goal.
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However, he headed it just within the keeper’s reach, and the Arsenal star managed to show quick reflexes and save it from a point blank range. It proved to be a crucial intervention that handed all three points to the visitors. Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey scored in the second half to seal the game.
Take it away, @daviidraya1…⛔️ pic.twitter.com/sYFzk0VGuu
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 13, 2024
Arteta thought that no other keeper could have achieved what Raya did in that contest. He said:
“I thought it was a goal. I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar.”
“We’re all watching the ball and I went, ‘No, please.’ Then I see the striker in that position and normally it’s a goal. David’s reaction is unbelievable.”
3. The one against Tottenham Hotspur | September 2023
It was this save from Raya that impressed the fans the most during his loan spell last season. Making a great save against your direct rivals doesn’t go under the radar.
With a huge North London derby looming close, Arteta decided to go for Raya and bench Aaron Ramsdale. The Gunners were leading 1-0, and the match was heading into halftime.
Heuing-Min Son gifted a beautiful chance to Brennan Johnson in the centre of the goal. The 23-year-old just needed to hit it past a couple of defenders and into the empty net.
Raya was at the right side of the post and had very little time to crawl back to the centre and stop the ball from going in. But he somehow threw himself to the middle and saved Johnson’s shot that was clearly heading towards the net.
Throwback to when Ramsdale applauded Raya for his great save against the Spurs ❤
Two goats can co-exist. pic.twitter.com/NWxOMiozLs
— 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 (@_WinterKTBFFH) November 17, 2023
Everyone on the bench were in awe watching the keeper getting back so quickly and didn’t give up until the ball went out of play.
Even Ramsdale was seen applauding the Spaniard for his lightning quick reflexes. Although the game ended in a 2-2 draw, it would have swung in another direction had it not been for the goalkeeper’s bravery.
4. The one against Wolverhampton Wanderers | April 2024
Although Arsenal missed out on lifting the Premier League trophy last season, they enjoyed staying at the table for a longer period.
They were behind Man City in the race and needed a win against Wolves to push them back to the top. With the game stuck at 0-0 at halftime, the visitors tried to get a sneak at the goal before the whistle goes.
Joao Gomes got a great chance to put them ahead. He was racing through the right side of the attack and hit a really powerful close-range shot on goal.
Raya was there, standing tall and using his powerful hands to push the ball against the post. He had less than a second to react as the ball came like a bullet. There was so much pace behind the shot, but he managed to keep it out.
Raya to the rescue 🦸 pic.twitter.com/kATMV9pGKl
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 21, 2024
It was this save that decided the course of the game. The Gooners returned confidently in the second half. Trossard and Martin Odegaard’s goals helped them secure a 2-0 victory in the end.
5. The one against FC Porto | March 2024
After a long wait—14 years to be precise—Arteta’s men were back into the Champions League. The last 16 tie vs. Porto stretched to its core with the game heading to the penalty kick. A spot in the quarterfinals was at stake, and the English giants knew how important it was for them to get through.
Raya could feel that it was all planned by destiny. Arsenal’s top five penalty takers perfectly executed their spot kicks. It was all left on the keeper to save Galeno’s final take.
— 𝙻𝙾𝙺𝙾𝚁𝙸🇰🇪 (@JobKemoi) March 22, 2024
Nobody expected it to end here, but the 29-year-old, with all his might, guessed it correctly and dived to the left. He saved Galeno’s penalty and ran towards the corner with every Arsenal player celebrating with him.
The stadium was filled with a range of emotions, and the fans got the chance to relive the vintage UCL nights once again.
