Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is set to start in Saturday’s Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen, capping a remarkable season for the Spaniard despite a lack of recognition from his national team. Raya has been instrumental in Arsenal’s success, contributing to a league-leading 28 clean sheets in 50 matches and conceding only 30 goals throughout the campaign, earning him a third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award.
Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford in 2023, initially sharing minutes with Aaron Ramsdale. However, manager Mikel Arteta quickly established him as a key component of his system, valuing his exceptional passing ability and composure. The goalkeeper’s journey to the top has been unconventional, having previously played in the fifth tier of English football during a loan spell with Southport while at Blackburn Rovers.
Despite his club form, Raya has struggled to secure a consistent starting position with the Spanish national team, earning only twelve caps at the age of 30. He was included in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the upcoming European Championship, but is not currently the first-choice goalkeeper. De la Fuente himself acknowledged the disparity between Raya’s reputation in England and his recognition back home, stating, “In England, they consider him the best goalkeeper in the world, and here nobody talks about him.”
Arteta has consistently praised Raya’s impact, describing him as a leader and a match-winner. Following a crucial save against Chelsea in March, Arteta admitted he “almost had a heart attack” but was saved by Raya’s intervention. Teammates also acknowledge his importance, with Kai Havertz calling him “the best goalkeeper in the world” over the past two seasons. Raya’s ability to play out from the back and contribute to Arsenal’s build-up play has been particularly lauded, allowing defenders Gabriel and Saliba greater freedom to advance.
Should Raya maintain a clean sheet in the Champions League final, he will become the first goalkeeper to achieve ten clean sheets in a single season in the competition. A strong performance could potentially elevate his status within the Spanish national team ahead of the World Cup.
