Arsenal maintained their impressive start to the new Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Arsenal had to scrap for this victory, and Mikel Arteta had David Raya to thank for maintaining his side’s clean sheet.
The Spanish shot-stopper has made a strong start to the campaign, having had his loan switch from Brentford converted into a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium over the course of the summer.
The Euro 2024 winner is now settled and established as the Gunners’ No. 1. Arsenal fans were impressed by Raya’s display in the North London club’s opener against Wolves, and he raised his game again against Aston Villa last time out.
The 28-year-old made one save in particular at Villa Park that will live long in the memory. With the scores level at 0-0, Amadou Onana’s strike from range took a deflection and looped up, sending Raya scrambling back towards his own goal.
As Raya fell into his own net, the ball rebounded off the crossbar and dropped kindly to Ollie Watkins, who simply had to nod it back into the unguarded goal. However, the Arsenal ‘keeper was somehow able to recover and claw the striker’s header away.
Alan Shearer was stunned by Raya’s save, and he is not the only pundit to have been amazed by the feat.
Gary Lineker praises Arsenal duo Mikel Arteta and David Raya
Former England striker Gary Lineker was also dazzled by the save, and felt that it underlined Arteta’s decision to show faith in Raya.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: “Arteta is clearly not frightened of making big decisions. This time last year, we were going, ‘why is he bringing in David Raya?’
“But, you have to say, he looks one hell of a goalkeeper. He made a sensational save last week… And he did the same – I know Ollie Watkins should’ve scored with the header after it bounced back off the bar – but how quick did he get up off the ground to make that save?
“I mean, it was absolutely world class.”
End of the David Raya vs Aaron Ramsdale debate
Lineker is referring to the decision Arteta made last summer to bring Raya to the club, where he quickly usurped the popular Aaron Ramsdale as the Gunners’ first choice goalkeeper.
However, it took the new net-minder some time to settle, and things weren’t always easy for him in his first season in North London. After an error-strewn performance, Arsenal fans urged Arteta to drop Raya and bring Ramsdale back into the fold.
The manager stood by his man, though, and that decision has since been vindicated. Meanwhile, Ramsdale has been consigned to the bench for some time.
Ramsdale could leave Arsenal in what remains of this summer transfer window, truly ending the debate as to who ought to be the club’s No. 1.
Leave a Reply