2026 has been a bumpy ride for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side are top of the Premier League by five points, in the final of the Carabao Cup, in the fifth round of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League but there is a sense that something isn't quite right.
It feels remarkable to say that, it really does. However, the Gunners are not at their free-flowing best and concerns are emerging that they may not have the mental fortitude to get over the line.
Yet, they have demonstrated since that ridiculous 2-2 draw away at Wolves that they still know how to win. While there was something swashbuckling about the 4-1 victory over Spurs eight days ago, the 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday was rather more ugly.
Rosenior-Arteta
The Gunners got over the line but only just. Thankfully for Arteta's men, they had their trusty defence and indeed their set-pieces to thank once again.
How Arsenal's defence helped them beat Chelsea
For the vast majority of the Spaniard's time as Arsenal manager, he has made his team incredibly hard to break down. It's not an exaggeration to say they are the best defensive team in Europe.
Yet, the last month or so has been rather more troubling for the backline. They have now kept just two clean sheets in their last six league matches and are without a shutout in their last three.
Timber-Arsenal-Gabriel
Truth be told, the Arsenal defence were not troubled much from open play on Sunday but in a war of set-pieces, it was the Gunners, as they so often do, who came out on top.
That said, it was a struggle. Indeed, when Piero Hincapie glanced Reece James' corner into his own net, it looked as though the north Londoners were about to drop points from a winning position yet again.
Thankfully for the hosts, they had already found the net courtesy of a header from William Saliba earlier in the half. Bukayo Saka's deep ball found Gabriel at the back stick who leapt like a salmon, nodded the ball into the path of Saliba who couldn't miss from a few yards out.
Timber also couldn't miss. As Arsenal pursued a winning goal, the Dutchman came up trumps from yet another set-piece. Declan Rice swung one in and the Dutchman was ready and waiting inside the six-yard box to beat Robert Sanchez.
So, while Arsenal's defence were troubled by Chelsea's own set-pieces, the Gunners' backline ultimately came out of the clash as the winners. Remarkably, every member of the backline had been involved in a goal.
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Sure, it wasn't quite how Arteta would have pictured this one before kick-off but it matters not at this point.
Saliba, Gabriel and Timber all stood out but the star of the show was arguably David Raya.
Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea
David Raya - 9
Jurrien Timber - 8
William Saliba - 9
Gabriel Magalhaes - 8
Piero Hincapie - 6
Martin Zubimendi - 4
Declan Rice - 7
Eberechi Eze - 5
Bukayo Saka - 8
Leandro Trossard - 3
Viktor Gyokeres - 5
Arsenal superstar makes a difference
The likes of Saka, Rice and Gabriel are all hailed as the genuine elite names of this Arsenal team but their performances often overshadow the efforts of Raya.
Arsenal-David-Raya
The Spaniard came under fire just a matter of weeks ago when he collided with Gabriel, a moment that led to Wolves scoring their equalising goal in that 2-2 draw.
Since that moment, the goalkeeper has reaffirmed precisely why he is one of the best, if not the best, in the entire business.
Initially signed on loan from Brentford in 2023, many questioned the 'keeper's arrival at the Emirates Stadium. Aaron Ramsdale had done little wrong but Arteta wanted an upgrade and two and half years on, he's showcasing it was the right decision.
Raya signed on a permanent deal to the tune of £27m in 2024 and has only gone from strength to strength since. His form in 2025/26 is nothing new, however.
He has won the Golden Glove two seasons in a row and is well on track to win it for a third successive year. His performances against Spurs and Chelsea summarise why he's up for the award again.
Premier League clean sheet rank 2024-25 - Raya (timeless)
Last week, while Arsenal may have won handsomely, the Spaniard made a remarkable goalline save that stopped Igor Tudor's men from getting back into the game.
The 30-year-old had an even better game against Chelsea, making a number of phenomenal stops to keep his side in the game. One of the most memorable came from the corner before Liam Rosenior's men scored. Raya was being held and yet in a crowded penalty area, made a top-drawer save to his right to prevent a Rice own goal.
His second was a sprawling save to his left to deny a goal-bound effort from Alejandro Garnacho in the last few moments of the clash. The agility for both stops was remarkable. He may well get criticism for his reach and lack of height but as far as agility is concerned, he is the best in the world.
In fact, it would not be too ridiculous to suggest that Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world full stop. The former Brentford man is perhaps rivalling the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Thibaut Courtois for that honour but right now, the Arsenal star comes out on top.
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Many suggest you will not win the league without a top 'keeper and in Raya, Arteta certainly has that right now.
Saliba-Trossard-Gyokeres-Arsenal Related
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Arsenal struggled but were victorious against Chelsea on Sunday.