By Martin Graham
arsenal sit 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 goes well beyond the stops.
David Rayaa consistent presence in England’s top flight since his move from Blackburn to Brentford in 2019, he remains central to Arsenal’s model. The Spaniard has already collected the Golden Glove in each of the last two seasons and has conceded just 10 goals as the current campaign progresses.
The contrast with league-wide trends is stark. Manchester City, Manchester United and Sunderland have become bigger frames that prioritize set pieces. Arsenal, by comparison, continue to rely on a goalkeeper whose game starts with the ball at his feet.
Going through this takes the pressure off
Arteta has described Raya as the most attacking goalkeeper in the division, and that label is evident whenever Arsenal try to build from deep.
When opponents push high, their aim is usually to gain possession of the group in predictable areas or create direct duels near the goal. Many goalies respond by choosing the safest and most obvious way out.
against Wolveshowever, Raya repeatedly declined the invitation offered to him by the press. Instead of playing in the space Wolves wanted him to use, he selected options on the opposite side, breaking the logic of his approach.
This willingness to play against expectations broke the visiting structure. By forcing Wolves to constantly restart, Arsenal were able to push forward in areas that should have been closed, turning pressure into opportunity.
Man-to-man schemes are designed to eliminate substitute players all over the field, but can be undone when the goalkeeper actively joins the formation.
Chelsea tried to match Arsenal man-for-man, but Raya’s move into a deeper defensive slot created an extra passing lane. The dilemma was clear: go out to him and release 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 stepped forward without a lead and received a cut-back that pierced the Chelsea formation.
Through these subtle adjustments, Arsenal consistently gain numerical superiority without altering their pitch structure.
Choose when to go long
Ball security does not mean stubbornness. Raya’s influence is also evident when the short game becomes an issue.
Bayern Munich’s aggressive marking in the Champions League demanded a different response. Arsenal created movement to draw defenders away from known areas, with midfielders dropping and attackers rotating higher.
Raya facilitated this by staying composed during the opening phase before switching tactics. Once Bayern stretched, they made longer and more accurate passes into advanced areas.
The weather was decisive. By targeting players like Jurrien Timber in favorable match-ups, rather than sending aerial balls into close duels, Arsenal generated advantages further up the pitch.
Authority in the air and defensive composure
Raya’s contribution is not limited to distribution. Since 2023, only Emiliano MartÃnez has collected more crosses in the Premier League, although the Arsenal goalkeeper does not have the same physical stature.
Positioning, anticipation and assertiveness make up for the 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 strengthen their presence against opposing attackers. The result is greater success in aerial contests and clearer space for Raya to attack deliveries.
Stopping shots versus control
Arsenal have the strongest defensive record in the league, but the data shows that Raya has conceded more goals than expected so far. On the surface, this raises questions.
Elite reflexes can decide the knockout stages, as Arteta himself pointed out when he reflected on Paris St-Germain’s progress last season and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s decisive interventions.
Raya does not offer the same reputation-defining trait. Instead, Arsenal reduce exposure by controlling territory, possession and structure, limiting the volume and quality of attempts faced.
Why Arsenal are staying the course
Raya’s passing range extends possessions and reduces turnovers, reducing the windows in which opponents can attack. His extensive record since 2023-24 underlines how often danger is neutralized before reaching the box.
Combined with his mastery of crosses, many threats disappear without ever being converted into shots, a contribution that the goal stats have prevented them from rarely capturing.
The description of Arteta de Raya as an attacking goalkeeper is accurate, but it is precisely these proactive qualities that underpin Arsenal’s defensive dominance and keep them firmly in the title conversation.
