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David Raya no doubt benefits from having a formidable defense in front of him, but when he’s been called into action, he has been sensational.
In Arsenal’s second game of the season on August 24 against Aston Villa, he made a remarkable reaction save with the score at 0-0. A deflected shot cannoned off the bar, and with the goal gaping, Ollie Watkins looked certain to head Villa into the lead.
However, Raya picked himself up off the deck quickly and kept the header out with a flying leap, setting the stage for the Gunners to pick up a 2-0 win.
He is joint-second in the Golden Glove race, with his seven clean sheets level with Everton’s Jordan Pickford and one behind Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels on eight. But he has also had 747 touches of the ball and made 579 successful passes, providing a solid foundation for Arsenal to implement their preferred possession game.
Raya’s shot-stopping prowess gives his side confidence that they can press high, and his ability to react to danger from balls over the top helps to ease the pressure on the back line. The Spaniard also acts as a safety valve when the midfield is crowded out.
If Arsenal intend to close the gap to Liverpool in the second half of the season, they will need more solid play from their No. 1.
