By Martin Graham
Arsenal sits at the top of the Premier League after a summer in which many rivals changed direction between the posts. While others opted for taller, more traditional profiles, Mikel Arteta has doubled down on a goalkeeper whose value stretches far beyond saves.
David Raya, a constant presence in England’s top flight since his move from Blackburn to Brentford in 2019, remains central to Arsenal’s model. The Spaniard has already collected the Golden Glove in each of the past two seasons and has conceded only 10 goals as the current campaign unfolds.
The contrast with league-wide trends is clear. Manchester City, Manchester United, and Sunderland have all turned to bigger frames who prioritize stopping shots. Arsenal, by comparison, continues to rely on a keeper whose game begins with the ball at his feet.
Passing that dismantles pressure
Arteta has described Raya as the division’s most attack-minded goalkeeper, and that label is evident whenever Arsenal attempts to build from deep.
When opponents push high, their aim is usually to herd possession into predictable zones or to create direct duels close to the goal. Many goalkeepers respond by choosing the safest, most obvious outlet.
Against Wolves, however, Raya repeatedly rejected the invitation offered by the press. Instead of playing into the space Wolves wanted him to use, he selected options on the opposite side, breaking the logic of their approach.
This willingness to play against expectation disrupted the visitors’ structure. By forcing Wolves to constantly reset, Arsenal was able to progress through areas that should have been closed, turning pressure into opportunity.
Man-to-man schemes are designed to remove spare players across the pitch, yet they can unravel when the goalkeeper actively joins the build-up.
Chelsea attempted to match Arsenal player for player, but Raya’s movement into a deeper defensive slot created an extra passing lane. The dilemma was clear: step out to him and free a teammate, or ignore him and risk a progressive pass.
In one such situation, Raya’s positioning tempted Joao Pedro to leave Cristhian Mosquera. That brief lapse was enough. Mosquera advanced untracked and received a clipped ball that pierced Chelsea’s shape.
Through these subtle adjustments, Arsenal consistently gains numerical superiority without altering their outfield structure.
Choosing when to go long
Ball security does not mean stubbornness. Raya’s influence also lies in understanding when short play becomes a liability.
Bayern Munich’s aggressive marking in the Champions League demanded a different response. Arsenal created movement to pull defenders away from familiar zones, with midfielders dropping and attackers rotating higher.
Raya facilitated this by remaining composed during the initial phase before switching tactics. Once Bayern was stretched, he delivered accurate longer passes into advanced areas.
Timing proved decisive. By targeting players such as Jurrien Timber in favorable matchups, rather than sending aerial balls into evenly matched duels, Arsenal generated advantages further upfield.
Authority in the air and defensive calm
Raya’s contribution is not limited to distribution. Since 2023, only Emiliano Martinez has collected more crosses in the Premier League, despite the Arsenal keeper lacking the same physical stature.
Positioning, anticipation, and assertiveness compensate for height. His reliability on high balls allows Arteta to deploy central defenders away from the six-yard box at set pieces.
With less need for protection around the goalkeeper, Arsenal strengthens their presence against opposing attackers. The result is greater success in aerial contests and clearer space for Raya to attack deliveries.
Shot-stopping versus control
Arsenal boasts the league’s strongest defensive record, yet data shows Raya has conceded more goals than expected so far. On the surface, that raises questions.
Elite reflexes can decide knockout ties, as Arteta himself noted when reflecting on Paris St-Germain’s progress last season and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s decisive interventions.
Raya does not offer that same reputation-defining trait. Instead, Arsenal reduces exposure by controlling territory, possession, and structure, limiting the volume and quality of attempts faced.
Why Arsenal stay the course
Raya’s passing range extends possessions and cuts down turnovers, shrinking the windows in which opponents can attack. His sweeping record since 2023-24 underlines how often danger is neutralized before it reaches the box.
Combined with his command of crosses, many threats disappear without ever becoming shots, a contribution that statistics on goals prevented rarely capture.
Arteta’s description of Raya as an attacking goalkeeper is accurate, yet it is precisely these proactive qualities that underpin Arsenal’s defensive dominance and keep them firmly in the title conversation.
