David Raya made his 100th appearance for **Arsenal**on the weekend in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, getting his 42nd clean sheet for the team. Speaking almost two years to the day since his Premier League debut for the Gunners, the goalkeeper gave his thoughts on his time in North London and how he learned to ignore the noise about his move as he stepped in for a beloved figure.
‘It’s just been incredible’
Raya has earned the Golden Glove Award in both campaigns with the club, winning it outright in 2024 and sharing the prize with Matz Sels in 2025. He knows that it has not been a solo effort.
“It was two years ago that I made my debut againstEverton, and from there it's just been incredible being part of this football club and having that record, 100 games with 42 clean sheets, is incredible. But that just goes to the credit to the team to the staff that how hard we work to try and defend.”
The Spaniard slotted in as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale. The Englishman had taken the place of Bernd Leno and was the side’s first-choice shot stopper for two seasons, including the first serious Premier League title charge under Arteta. Raya had work on his hands to prove his right to the role.
An **England**international and a larger-than-life personality, Ramsdale was someone who had the adoration of the crowd and the intrigue of the media off the field. Above all, most fans felt marginal gains were not to be found first and foremost in getting a new goalkeeper in the 2023/24 campaign.
“When I came here in Aaron was the goalie and he was playing in a similar situation and with other keepers that come to a club to push the other goalie, I just try to do my best on the pitch off the pitch and give the reason to the boss to pick me and play games. So that's what I would like to do.”
‘You always need to have competition’
Ramsdale had not been a blatant weak link, so Raya had to be exceptional to be worth the hassle. Errors against **Tottenham**and **Chelsea**in his first few weeks indicated that critiques were getting in his head, and he was no stranger to a lobbed finish in his first year, but he has turned heads around.
“When I came, there was a lot of noise. There was a lot of talk outside and it's understandable having Aaron is a hell of a keeper and from nowhere just get changed. The media is going to be going to be noisy and there was a few games where I could have done better like everybody has bad games.”
The 30-year-old offered his opinion on how he found a way to get back to his best form for Arsenal.
“I just had to focus on myself, focus on what I can control and where I cannot control and the things I can control is on the pitch. Off the pitch, I just tried to be deaf, not to listen anything about what's happening. It's just focus on my football on and off the pitch. So that's what I did and just believe in myself and the two years I played for Arsenal has been incredible and I'm looking for more.”
Now, his compatriot, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has come to the club from **Chelsea**as the backup shot stopper. The pair have a good bond and work to get the best out of each other between the posts.
*“We are Arsenal. Competition is all over the place. You always have, and you always need to have competition to take out everything good in each player. Kepa and me have a really good relationship. We know each other from the national team and it's a pleasure to share the dressing room with him.”*