David Raya has credited Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana for transforming the way he plays.
The 28 year old first worked with his fellow Spaniard when he moved from Blackburn to Brentford, and he says it completely changed the way he went about his job.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s Premier League kick-off against Wolves, the Arsenal number 1 said, “He has changed my style of being a goalkeeper.
“If you watch highlights from me when I was back at Blackburn, you will see a keeper that just stood on the line, not coming for anything, rarely going for a cross, rarely going outside the box, rarely anticipating, just waiting to make that save.
“When I signed for Brentford, Inaki just completely changed my style of being a goalkeeper, to be more proactive and anticipate stuff that has not happened yet.
“So, if you can go for a cross, just go for it. Don’t wait for the save. Instead, avoid the chance. For balls in behind and all that, stay high as much as possible to be able to cut out the attack.
“If you see me at Blackburn and then after I signed for Brentford, it’s two completely different goalkeepers. At Blackburn, I wasn’t going for any crosses.
“And then at Brentford and here, I think my numbers on crosses are remarkable.”
Raya’s ability on the ball has been a key feature of his time at Arsenal, often playing as something akin to a sweeper when we’re in possession, and positioned high up the pitch when the opposition have the ball.
He was a big part of our title push last season, and says that getting on top of small margins will be key for the new campaign.
“Our second half of last season was nearly perfect,” he said, “but you have to be perfect to win the league, especially against Man City. They are so good and they are so experienced in this environment.
“We have to learn from everything, from every mistake and from the good things that we have done as well, to carry on and improve them.
“That is what we need to do. It has been a fantastic year but we have to – and I have to – make the next one better.”
He also spoke briefly about new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who has been brought in to bolster an already strong defensive line-up, and it’s fair to say he’s impressed with the bravery of the Italian Stallion.
“He is very, very strong,” he said.
“He goes for the tackles. He just goes for it. He would put his head in a washing machine.”
We’re all looking forward to seeing Calafiori, so let’s hope he settles in well and doesn’t make Miele things, especially when there’s a Hotpoint or two to play for. Bosch!
A washing machine…. My god what was he thinking
I think what he means is that Richy would try to head the ball out of any situation, regardless of flailing limbs ands elbows. I read that his dad used to call him “ruspa” which means bulldozer in Italian because he was that child. But he can also put defenders in a spin cycle with his skill on the ball.
We need a washing machine to keep clean sheets
Chapeau sir
Hope he resists how popular he is with the girls and doesn’t just go round London spreading his um, Siemens everywhere…
Why not? Calafiori Maytag that as a compliment..
Here’s hoping Calafiori’s arrival will raise the fogging standards even Haier.
I hope he Bekomes a legend at Arsenal.
Hoping he stays fit and doesn’t leave us Indesit
Could be a washout
As long as when the time comes he signs the extension and doesn’t hang us out to dry
I really hope Calafiori’s presence in defense will deter gents from attacking our left flank
I thought indesit in the post above was good, but damn! This is a win for me!
If he is Bold then I’m sure that he will DAZzle and keep our whites whiter than Ben white and Hoover up the plaudits
Raya keep raising the bar, a strong character and season better than last season.. As for calafiori Is a rock and what I see is he’s a physical and a no – nonsense defender who loves to go hard in tackles.. Our back line is complete bar kiwior who is always a suspect in his defending, positioning and his passing is off, maybe he’s head is not in arsenal but elsewhere..
He’s going for all the candy this season that’s for sure
Raya obviously reads the comments section.
Good to see him drum up some support for a new signing, hopefully we can have plenty of clean White sheets.
Unfortunately for Antony, Calafiori will not allow him to launder his reputation in his washing machine.
Anthony’s stuck on that ridiculous spin cycle!
You mean a Whirlpool?!
I hope he is like an Ariston and goes on and on!!!