David Raya has secured the Premier League’s Golden Glove award after Everton’s 1-1 draw with Luton ensured Jordan Pickford can’t surpass the Spaniard’s total of 14 clean sheets this season.
Raya, who joined the Gunners on loan from Brentford in the summer, has proved a revelation between the sticks, calmly marshalling his defence to the best record in England’s top flight while using his feet to great effect.
His clean sheet record is all the more impressive given he’s only played 29 matches in the league. Raya sat on the bench for the opening three games of the season and also had to make way for Aaron Ramsdale in both matches against his parent club.
While European statistics don’t count towards the Golden Glove prize, he also kept four clean sheets in nine matches in the Champions League and produced two saves in the last-16 penalty shootout victory over Porto.
It’s not been all plain-sailing, three individual errors, including a horrible mistake in last weekend’s north London derby win, underline the fact there’s still room for improvement.
It is an open secret that Arsenal will make Raya’s move permanent when the transfer window opens for a pre-agreed fee in of £27 million. That said, when asked about the deal in his pre-Bournemouth press conference, Arteta continued to play a straight bat.
“Those conversations are for after the season,” he said. “We will review where we are and obviously we are really happy with David and everything he has brought to the club and the team.
“There’s no question about it but all those decisions have to be made between all of us at the club and we will see.”
Congratulations to David who’ll be hoping to add to his tally in the final three games of the campaign. Hopefully the Premier League can find a golden glove big enough for his massive hands.
Raya’s Premier League clean sheets
Everton 0-1 Arsenal
17th September 2023
Bournemouth 0-4 Arsenal
30th September 2023
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
10th October 2023
Arsenal 5-0 Sheffield United
28th October 2023
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
17th December 2023
Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
20th January 2024
West Ham 0-6 Arsenal
11th February 2024
Burnley 0-5 Arsenal
17th February 2024
Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal
4th March 2024
Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
31st March 2024
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
3rd April 2024
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
6th April 2024
Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
20th April 2024
Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea
23rd April 2024
Aaron Ramsdale Premier League clean sheets
Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
21st August 2023
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
25th November 2024
I’m a massive Raya convert after not being too sure at first.
But I think this award is as much about Saliba, Gabriel and Rice as it is Raya.
I looked at a highlight reel of saves he’s made and there aren’t many crazy ones.
I think in general he’s been amazingly protected by our back four and Deccy.
Agree totally, the best goalie in the world wouldn’t get the golden gloves behind Sp**s defence. Ramsdale may well have won them behind Saliba, Gabriel, Rice and Tomi etc. And we would have won the league last season if Saliba and Tomi had not been injured.
Agree about Spurs. Buffon or Schmeichel would not keep a single clean sheet behind that back four.
Not 100% sure about winning the league with Saliba and Tomiyasu last year. The cracks were already beginning to show in last-minute scrapes against Bournemouth at home and Aston Villa away. This year though is different gravy.
One win against City last season would have won us the PL. Or a better few games with Tomi, Saliba and Partey playing/not injured. Not guaranteed but would have made a difference.
That and the robbed VAR points. Man U away “foul” on Erickson ruling out Martinelli opener. We go on to win that.
The two player offside goal allowed against Bournmouth causing a drawer.
Newcastle penalty not awarded where we draw.
Quite a few others where we were robbed.
100%. And White too. He should give each of them a golden finger and keep the thumb to himself. I’m sure Ben would be happy with the middle one so he can stick to opposition keepers from behind.
This funnily made a lot of sense. Loveeit
🤣😂
White? Have you seen the defensive shift Kai puts in? Have you seen how the captain charges at the opposition and calls his forwards to press the opposition high up the field so they can’t build up any momentum?
Basically as a team we are a very solid unit. We have guys who press, midfielders who cover the ground, defenders who are rock solid and a keeper who has just won a golden glove.
The defence has been great, but as gets pointed out on the Arsecast a bit I think the way he plays the ball is a huge part of how we concede so few shots on goal in the first place, as we get turned over so little when the players know they can easily play it back and forth with him. His style is so specific that I find it hard to compare him with anyone at this point, and I do miss Ramsdale’s Hollywood saves. But there’s no denying he’s a very specific cog in a very specific machine.… Read more »
Mr Magoo would have won have won the golden gloves behind our defence this season. I’m not saying Raya is a bad keeper but if Pickford is for sale this summer I’d rather us sign him than keep Raya. I just think pickford is a better, more commanding, all round keeper than Raya. Just my opinion.
I think the fact that Pickford is a massive bellend goes against him somewhat.
But he’d be our massive bellend if we signed him. im sure every team in the league thinks Ben White is a colossal bellend but id never swap him for anyone. All top athletes are complete bellends. Be a bellend – be the best
And also shite
Couldn’t agree more.
Congratulations to him. If I am being fair, I have gradually warmed up to him. The panic attack I used to have when Ramsdale has the ball at his feet and the press is on has disappeared.
His coming out for crosses – barring few mis-timed jumps – have been excellent. Although he has benefitted from a defence that has become more accomplished, he fully deserves his award.
Fully deserves? He barely had to make any save. And did you forget all his miskicks under pressure? He is extremely lucky to win this.
You should just give up now
Very funny. Your dislike (hate?) has obviously gone too far. You don’t play 29 games without having a save to make. Clean sheets in 2 games against man city amongst others plus the calming effect he has under pressure with the ball at his feet. I’d rather have Raya than whoever you think is better.
Too late, too little 😁
Is that what your mrs says?
It’s only fitting to have the golden glove winner in a tltle-winning team. COYG 🙌🏻
I always thought that it was BOXERS that won the Golden Gloves.
Raya versus Tyson Fury would be interesting…
Also people tend to forget that Raya is the in-game organizer of our defence. He should be appreciated for that too.