Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has argued that he earned his clean sheet against Everton despite not making a save throughout the 90 minutes.
LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal clears the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Though December has been very hit-and-miss for Arsenal so far, one player who will be happy with how things are going on an individual level is David Raya.
Raya began the month with a clean sheet against Manchester United, and he’s added two more in subsequent games against AS Monaco and Everton.
The goalkeeper did concede once against Fulham, but that’s the only shot he’s let in for four matches. Yet it was put to the Spaniard that he didn’t do much to earn his clean sheet against Everton on Saturday.
LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal dominated the ball in the weekend’s match, and that was reflected in the number of opportunities for the two teams. The Gunners had 13 shots, Everton just two.
Both efforts were blocked before reaching Raya, meaning he didn’t have a save to make. But he argued that he still had a good game and helped to keep the team from conceding.
“You say I had nothing to do but I thought I played really well in that aspect,” Raya said.
“Maybe not in making saves but trying to help the team, stopping the ball from going behind, managing possession regains and all that stuff. That stuff is just part of the game.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: David Raya of Arsenal celebrates after teammate Bukayo Saka (not pictured) scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Raya did make a high claim and ran out to sweep up a couple of long balls, so he played his part when Everton made their rare forays forward. He also helped Arsenal to have such dominance in possession, completing 23 of his 24 attempted passes. His only failed pass was a long ball.
Even when your goalkeeper doesn’t make a stop, that doesn’t necessarily mean they had nothing to do.
The clean sheet goes down on the record either way, putting Raya level with Jordan Pickford and Andre Onana at the top of the Premier League tally so far this season.
Though admittedly, Liverpool’s seven clean sheets beats Arsenal’s six. It’s just been split between two goalkeepers in their case.
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