David Raya hailed as world‑class keeper as Arsenal bounce back

David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world. At least according to his Arsenal team‑mates.

Arsenal keeper David Raya produced four superb saves in a 1‑0 Champions League victory over Sporting, the winning goal arriving from Kai Havertz.

It is unusual for a club that currently leads the Premier League and is competing in a European quarter‑final to have a goalkeeper mentioned in discussions about player of the year, yet David Raya appears to be a strong contender.

David Raya, the Spain international, has recorded 22 clean sheets in 41 appearances across all competitions this season, and the most recent clean sheet could not have arrived at a more critical moment for Arsenal.

Arsenal travelled to Sporting after experiencing back‑to‑back defeats for the first time this season, and the narrative surrounding Arsenal being "nearly men" grew louder ahead of the match in Lisbon.

It is noteworthy that David Raya did not feature in either of those defeats: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta chose to keep cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts for the losses to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter‑final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the final against Manchester City attracted criticism after Kepa Arrizabalaga’s error supplied Pep Guardiola’s side with an early goal.

The outcome of those matches extended Arsenal’s wait for a major trophy that began in 2020.

David Raya’s display against Sporting illustrated why the 30‑year‑old remains Arsenal’s clear first‑choice goalkeeper.

"Unbelievable" is how Kai Havertz described David Raya during an interview with Amazon Prime.

"I think [David Raya] is still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world. He’s outstanding, he’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him," Kai Havertz added.

Extraordinary, magnificent, incredible

David Raya has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues, with 22 across all competitions, four more than Inter’s Yann Sommer.

The former Brentford goalkeeper has become a significant presence at Arsenal and is now a member of the club’s leadership group.

David Raya made a vital save early in the match against Sporting by denying Maxi Araujo, tipping a powerful strike onto the crossbar, and later produced three additional saves late in the game to preserve the tie before Kai Havertz’s winner.

"It’s something that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball," David Raya told Amazon Prime.

The clean sheet against Sporting marked Arsenal’s seventh Champions League shut‑out this season, the highest tally recorded by any goalkeeper or any club in the competition.

"That’s something we’ve worked on a lot. It’s so important for us; those clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping that clean sheet decides those type of games," David Raya explained.

David Raya’s acrobatic saves are only one facet of a broader skill set that benefits Arsenal.

Arsenal has granted David Raya considerable responsibility with the ball at his feet; his passing range and decision‑making enhance Arsenal’s attacking options.

"That’s the evolution of the game," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "The keeper in the last few years has changed and evolved rapidly, and the amount of things that we ask him to do, it’s a lot.

"But many positions have very similar situations and demands right now, and the players have to adapt to that. Apart from the qualities of David Raya, the courage, the will to do certain things, that’s when you can reach another level."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stopped short of confirming whether David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world.

"He’s extraordinary, magnificent, incredible," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "I don’t know the right adjective. We are so happy to have him."

David Raya has kept 15 clean sheets in 31 Premier League matches this season, the highest total in the division.

David Raya shared the Golden Glove award with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels for the 2024‑25 season; Arsenal hope that a repeat of that personal accolade for David Raya will coincide with a collective piece of silverware.