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David Raya is currently a key player for Arsenal. |
With each passing week, the Spanish goalkeeper makes another mark, and in England, experts have almost no doubt: he is currently the best goalkeeper in the world . But for Raya, that's still not enough – his dream is even bigger: to be the regular starting goalkeeper for the Spanish national team.
The fort is named after David Raya.
Every Arsenal game these days has one thing in common: Raya keeps a clean sheet.
Against West Ham in the seventh round of the Premier League last weekend, he once again left the field without conceding a goal – just like in the matches against Olympiacos, Athletic Bilbao, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, and Manchester United. This perfect run of form has turned Raya into a true steel wall, helping Arsenal maintain their formidable consistency in their pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League.
When Mikel Arteta insisted on bringing Raya from Brentford, many were skeptical. But time has proven everyone right: Arteta's belief was absolutely correct.
Now, Raya is more than just a "goalkeeper" - he is the foundation of Arsenal's control philosophy, one of the most modern goalkeepers in the world, with reflexes like a cat and the finesse of a deep-lying midfielder.
Statistics don't lie. Raya has won the Premier League Golden Glove for two consecutive seasons, and last season he kept 22 clean sheets across all competitions – almost half of his total appearances. That record is exactly the same as in the 2023/24 season, demonstrating a rare level of consistency in one of the most demanding positions.
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At the age of 30, Raya reached the peak of her career as a goalkeeper. |
At 30, Raya had reached the peak of his career as a goalkeeper: experience, reflexes, composure, and composure in big matches. There wasn't a single moment that made him panic.
Against West Ham, Raya's handling of aerial balls, backward passes, and even organizing attacks from the back were all perfectly accurate. Not only did he prevent goals, but he also created scoring opportunities with long passes forward.
The thirst for "La Roja"
However, while his club career is at its peak, Raya has yet to find a place commensurate with his potential in the Spanish national team. Since his first call-up by Luis Enrique in March 2022, he has only made 11 appearances for "La Roja"—far too few for his current level.
At Euro 2024, Raya only started in the match against Albania. Before that, he participated in the 2022 World Cup as a reserve. Even when Unai Simon was injured and underwent surgery, Raya was only temporarily given opportunities in the Nations League qualifiers. And when the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper returned, the door to the national team gradually closed again.
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David Raya is playing very well. |
However, what makes Raya special is his unwavering ambition. He doesn't complain, he doesn't make a fuss, he quietly waits for his opportunity and continues to impress with his outstanding performances every weekend in the Premier League. For him, recognition must come from actions, not words.
Now, coach Luis de la Fuente faces a "happy problem": possessing two of the best goalkeepers on the planet. Unai Simon represents traditional stability, while Raya embodies modern football – fast, accurate, and confident in every move with his feet.
That competition, from a positive perspective, is a blessing for Spain. As "La Roja" is rediscovering its identity after years of transition, having a goalkeeper like Raya – who embodies the Premier League spirit but is deeply rooted in Catalan DNA – is key to a new cycle of success.
David Raya – the giant in Arsenal's goal, who is demanding justice for himself in "La Roja" – is entering the prime of his career. And if this form continues, the only question remaining is: How much longer can Spain continue to keep him on the bench?
Source: https://znews.vn/nguoi-khong-lo-raya-post1591195.html
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