When Arsenal acquired David Raya from Brentford in the summer of 2023, on an initial loan agreement, it is fair to say that more than a few eyebrows were raised. The Gunners did, after all, have England international Aaron Ramsdale on their books.
Mikel Arteta is paid to make big decisions, though, and will stand by any that he believes are made with the best interests of the club at heart – even if those calls are not universally well received at first.
Said faith in Raya has been justified, despite questions continuing to be asked of when Arsenal will get back on the trophy trail. Blame regarding failure to end that barren run cannot be laid at the door of their No.1.
Winners’ enclosure
First Arsenal goalkeeper to achieve back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards…
Congratulations, David 🧤 pic.twitter.com/HxZKAGEo8A
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 25, 2025
Arteta, more than most, is determined to return Arsenal to the winners’ enclosure and earn favour among those considering a football bet on competitions that should always see the north London giants ranked as contenders rather than pretenders.
When it comes to Premier League title odds in 2025-26, the Gunners are priced as 2/1 shots – with a run of three successive runners-up finishes making it difficult to predict a domestic coronation with any kind of certainty.
It should, however, be taken for granted that Raya will provide a reliable last line of defence. He has done that in some style across his two full seasons with Arsenal, picking up back-to-back Golden Glove awards.
Given the calibre of keeper that he has fended off in order to claim those prizes – Alisson, Ederson, Emi Martinez et al – it could be considered surprising that the Spain international is not held in higher regard.
His value is not lost on those around him in the dressing room or among a loyal group of supporters, but his name is rarely added to the pot when discussing the finest custodians on the planet.
Arteta remains a big fan, saying of Raya’s importance to the Arsenal cause: “I was hammered when I brought him. So that’s perspective as well. It’s really good to look back and reflect on that. I think he has a tremendous impact on the team.”
He added when asked about Raya’s “pretty good” clean sheet record – with it those exploits that have helped him to prestigious individual accolades: “Pretty good? It’s the best in the history of the football club!”
Elite shot-stopper
🚨David Raya finishes 6th in the Yashin trophy 🏆 ranking
➡️ Senior goalkeeper #BallonDor #arsenal #RAYA pic.twitter.com/1hw9TdbvZk
— James Classic (@Jamesclassic599) September 22, 2025
Arsenal’s manager makes a very valid point, and one that the wider football community would be advised to heed. In Raya, the Gunners have found themselves an elite shot-stopper.
Plenty of other clubs have spent heavily trying to tick that same box without success. They would love to have a keeper at their disposal that is good enough to claim a sixth-place finish in the Yashin Trophy vote which forms part of the annual Ballon d’Or extravaganza.
Raya is rubbing shoulders with the best in the business and will have a crucial role to play in Arsenal’s efforts to land more major silverware. With that in mind, is it time to give him the credit that his ability undoubtedly deserves?
