Mikel Arteta has passionately defended David Raya, describing the Spaniard’s affect at Arsenal as “tremendous” after being closely criticised for signing him two years in the past.
When Arteta sanctioned Raya’s transfer from Brentford in 2023, eyebrows have been raised. Arsenal already had Aaron Ramsdale, who were signed no longer lengthy sooner than and had established himself as a fan favorite.
Critics accused Arteta of useless disruption and wondered the good judgment at the back of spending £30 million in general on any other goalkeeper.
Speedy ahead to 2025, and Raya has emphatically silenced the ones doubts. The 29-year-old has conceded simply 81 targets in 99 appearances, whilst conserving an impressive 41 blank sheets.
David Raya has been extremely a hit at Arsenal
That shape has helped him win back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards, making him probably the most statistically a hit goalkeeper in Arsenal’s historical past over his first 100 video games.
Arteta, talking forward of Arsenal’s Premier League conflict with Nottingham Wooded area, was once fast to focus on simply how exceptional Raya’s numbers are.
When knowledgeable of his goalkeeper’s blank sheet file, the Spaniard interrupted with a smile, as reported via The Metro:
“Pretty good? It’s the best in the history of the football club! It’s unbelievable. And I was hammered when I brought him!”
He added:
“That’s perspective as well. When a few months or years go by, it’s really good to look back and reflect. With the help of everybody, he’s had a tremendous impact on the team. What he’s done in that period is an exception.”
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Arteta has take the Gunners to any other levelDavid Raya in motion for Arsenal (Photograph via Michael Steele/Getty Photographs
Raya’s transformation from a wondered signing to an elite Premier League goalkeeper mirrors Arsenal’s personal evolution below Arteta. Since returning to the Emirates in 2019, the Spaniard has taken the Gunners from mid-table mediocrity to authentic identify challengers.
Whilst silverware has narrowly eluded them, giant signings reminiscent of Declan Rice, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Martin Odegaard were integral to Arsenal’s resurgence.
This summer time’s switch window additional confirmed their ambition, with Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, and Viktor Gyokeres arriving to enhance the squad.
With Raya marshalling the protection and Arsenal’s backbone strengthened, many consider this season may just after all be the only the place the Gunners finish their lengthy watch for primary honours.
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