It hasn’t been a marquee season at an individual level for most of Arsenal’s squad, but following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw away to Everton on Monday night, David Raya became the first to earn an individual award when he became the Premier League Golden Glove winner for the third consecutive season.
The Spanish shot stopper has been tremendous for the Gunners ever since joining in 2023, but this season has been his best to date. His 17 clean sheets (so far) are a personal best for Raya, and that total is currently good enough for the 25th most clean sheets in a PL season by a goalkeeper. If Arsenal manage to keep clean sheets in their three remaining matches, then he rises all the way to at least 10th all-time in the league.
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At this stage, those clean sheets have the potential to be title-deciding. Arsenal sit atop the table, and following City’s draw, need only to win out the schedule to secure their first title in 22 years. That’s certainly easier said than done, but with Raya playing at an elite level, the odds are much improved.
Like all individual accolades, it wouldn’t be possible without a great supporting cast, and Raya has one of the best in the world. Arsenal’s defense have made his job much easier with the world-class efforts of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães in front of him. They, along with the rest of Arsenal’s defense, have combined to allow a league-best 26 goals allowed.
Few players have been as integral to Arsenal’s return to prominence as Raya. Initially joining Arsenal on loan from Brentford in the summer of 2023, his move became permanent the following summer after he overtook Aaron Ramsdale for the starting spot. Since then, he has consistently raised his level with each passing season and has earned a deserved spot in the “best keepers in world football” conversation.
Raya’s success becomes more impressive when you consider the fact that he isn’t the typical archetype for a top keeper. At 6 feet tall, he is relatively diminutive when compared to 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 is a precursor to bigger trophies to come this season. Congrats, David Raya!
