Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya played down his stunning display in the 0-0 draw against Atalanta, despite earning his fourth clean sheet in five games.
The Spain international produced an incredible double save at the start of the second half to deny Mateo Retegui.
Raya’s plunge to his right to repel Retegui’s spot kick, followed by a remarkable recovery to scoop away the forward’s header from the rebound, sealed his fourth clean sheet in five games.
A pre-penalty chat with Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana solidified Raya’s decision to dive to his right.
“Obviously, it was a big moment, but I should have done more to push the initial effort away,” Raya admitted.
Raya’s form has cemented his position as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper following Aaron Ramsdale‘s summer departure.
‘I felt it was taking a long time so I decided to go to the sideline and speak with the goalie coach to have a plan to make sure we were both on the same page and it worked out.’
‘I was lucky enough to save it and then the rebound I just got up very quickly and tried to save the rebound and that was the main thing.
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‘The rebound it went a bit in the middle. I should’ve tried to push it away but I was lucky enough to make the second ball as well.’
Raya has already made important contributions this season against the likes of Aston Villa and Wolves with saves at crucial junctures in both of those fixtures but remained modest in the wake of last night’s heroics and refused to label his double stop the best of his career.
‘It has to rank at near the top with the situation we were in at 0-0 and help the team with a point.’
‘The double save is incredible. I wouldn’t rank it the top save in my career but 100% one of the top threes.’
Arteta, meanwhile, was more effusive in his praise and is delighted the former Brentford star is proving his worth after joining the club in difficult circumstances having usurped a crowd favourite in Ramsdale.
Last year was already very impressive and really good, even with a different context.
This season he has started exceptionally – the save he made against Villa, today he kept us in the game.
That’s the reality. You need that from your keeper at this level. I’m really happy he’s in the form he’s in at the moment.
‘I don’t know [if he is the best in the world at the moment.
I haven’t seen all the goalkeepers but at the moment he’s been exceptional for us, that’s for sure.
The draw marked a creditable point for Arsenal at the home of the Europa League holders, particularly without injured skipper Martin Odegaard.
