David Raya has hit a century of appearances for **Arsenal**after a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on the weekend. His arrival at the club was a hotly debated topic, but he has nailed down the number one spot for the Gunners. Here are four key moments from his time in North London.
Porto penalties thwarted by a flying Spaniard
**Arsenal**attacked the start of 2024 with a steely defensive unit, barely even giving away shots in the Premier League. But the true test of their improvement would be in the Champions League.
The Gunners ground to a halt in their first knockout fixture since 2017, losing 1-0 to **Porto**in the first leg. Raya did not cover himself in glory as **Galeno**grabbed the winning goal deep into injury time.
However, **Arsenal**responded at the Emirates Stadium with a drilled finish from Leandro Trossard. **Porto**fell back, but held on and forced the two sides to settle the stalemate with a penalty shootout.
The Spaniard had saved a stinging strike from Francisco Conceição in the second half to keep the tie level at 1-1. The best would be to come from a player proving his worth as the primary shot stopper.
**Wendell**had locked down Bukayo Saka for much of the match, but Raya repelled his effort from twelve yards. Then, the goalkeeper got the better of **Galeno**as **Arsenal**won the penalty shootout with a 4-2 scoreline. For the first time in 14 years, the team were in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Raya reflexes matter most in the Midlands
In July last year, **Brentford**would agree to let go of the goalkeeper after his year-long loan to North London. Raya had ousted Aaron Ramsdale, who would go on loan to Southampton, and he started his second season with the side as a man who was confident that he was the undisputed number one.
The first away day of the campaign was a trip to Villa Park. Aston Villa were looking to build on their best **Premier League**finish in almost 30 years. Morgan Rogers was wreaking havoc in the middle of the park, and **Arsenal**looked like an outfit that lacked the physical sharpness of the past.
It is on days like this that the last line of the defence has to stand tall. In the 54th minute, Raya did just that. A deflected strike cannoned off the bar, and Raya recovered his footing to miraculously palm away a headed effort from Ollie Watkins. Somehow, the hosts would finish the fixture scoreless.
At the other end of the pitch, super sub **Leandro Trossard**took his chance off the bench. However, the man of the moment was Raya, who would receive the **Premier League**Save of the Month Award.
A foundation for European exploits
This situation would be a common theme for the Gunners at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Performances were not as professional and controlled, but Raya continued to earn his plaudits.
Away at Atalanta, **Arsenal**would kick off their second **Champions League**campaign under Mikel Arteta. The heavy man marking system of the Europa League champions muddied up the action on the pitch, and the Gunners lacked the firepower to find clear routes through their crafty opponents.
To make matters worse, Thomas Partey clipped the heels of **Ederson**in the penalty area. Raya infamously went to talk with his compatriot, goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, as VAR deliberated about the award of a penalty. Whatever the pair discussed, the Spaniard was ready to shine once more.
Raya dived down to stop the shot from Marco Retegui before turning away a header from the striker.
It is easy to forget about this clash as **Arsenal**went on to qualify automatically for the Round of 16 through the top eight of the league phase. But Raya made that feat far easier for his side to pull off.
Double trouble at Old Trafford
By March 2025, the **Premier League**title race had fallen flat for the third straight season. Yet, it did not mean professional pride had dimmed for Raya, who produced a strong display at Old Trafford.
The first half was a familiar sight for supporters. **Arsenal**had most of the ball, kept working passing sequences down their right wing, but the team looked short on ideas to break down a deep defence.
As half time loomed, the guests gave away a free kick. Bruno Fernandes lined up a strike and slotted the ball beyond Raya to put the Red Devils in the lead. However, Raya would respond after the restart.
Firstly, he parried an effort from Noussair Mazraoui at the end of a fast break to stop **Man United**stretching their advantage. Declan Rice went on to whip strike into the net, and the score was 1-1.
It seemed that the sides would have to settle for a stalemate, but Fernandes had other ideas in injury time. He crept into the box with a late run and fired a goal-bound shot. Fortunately for the Gunners, Raya repelled his effort and scrambled to steer the spinning ball away from red shirts for good.
For the second time, the Spaniard would win the prize of Save of the Month. By the end of May, he had sealed a second Golden Glove Award: a due reward for his individual attempts at shot stopping.