David Raya secures third Golden Glove
It hasn’t been a marquee season at a person degree for many of Arsenal’s squad, however following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw away to Everton on Monday night time, David Raya turned the primary to earn a person award when he turned the Premier League Golden Glove winner for the third consecutive season.
The Spanish shot stopper has been super for the Gunners ever since becoming a member of in 2023, however this season has been his greatest up to now. His 17 clear sheets (to date) are a private greatest for Raya, and that complete is presently ok for the twenty fifth most clear sheets in a PL season by a goalkeeper. If Arsenal handle to maintain clear sheets of their three remaining matches, then he rises all the way in which to at the very least tenth all-time within the league.
At this stage, these clear sheets have the potential to be title-deciding. Arsenal sit atop the desk, and following City’s draw, want solely to win out the schedule to safe their first title in 22 years. That’s actually simpler mentioned than performed, however with Raya taking part in at an elite degree, the percentages are a lot improved.
Like all particular person accolades, it would not be doable and not using a nice supporting forged, and Raya has among the finest on this planet. Arsenal’s protection have made their job a lot simpler with the world-class efforts of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães in entrance of him. They, together with the remainder of Arsenal’s protection, have mixed to permit a league-best 26 targets allowed.
Few gamers have been as integral to Arsenal’s return to prominence as Raya. Initially becoming a member of Arsenal on mortgage from Brentford in the summertime of 2023, his transfer turned everlasting the next summer time after he overtook Aaron Ramsdale for the beginning spot. Since then, he has constantly raised his degree with every passing season and has earned a deserved spot within the “best keepers in world football” dialog.
Raya’s success turns into extra spectacular when you think about the truth that he is not the standard archetype for a high keeper. At 6 toes tall, he’s comparatively diminutive when in comparison with the likes of Thibault Courtois (6’7″), Gianluigi Donnarumma (6’5″), and Allison (6’4″). He has made up for his short frame and wingspan by having some of the fastest reflexes in the game and being a dominant presence in the air. It’s easy to lose track of the countless snap saves he has made on the goal line to preserve results, and he plucks crosses and corners out of the air like a tight end high pointing the ball with exceptional regularity.
It is a deserved accolade, and hopefully one that could be a precursor to larger trophies to return this season. Congratulations, David Raya!
