It's fair to say the goalkeeping department at Arsenal looks a hell of a lot different now to what it did in 2019 when Mikel Arteta first arrived at the club.
Bernd Leno was the Gunners' No.1 during the 2019/20 campaign, with Emiliano Martinez providing cover. The pair have since established themselves as fine Premier League shotstoppers who are still competing in the English top flight but quality and consistency between the sticks was lacking during Arteta's first few years in north London.
Aaron Ramsdale was signed from Sheffield United in 2021 in a deal worth £30million and the Englishman initially impressed at Emirates Stadium. Mistakes crept into the goalkeeper's game in-between the odd wondersave, however, and what happened next was classic Arteta. He made a ruthless decision which divided supporters across the world.
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David Raya was identified as the man to take Arsenal forward. In his 161 appearances for Brentford Raya was awarded the EFL Golden Glove, helped the Bees to Premier League promotion and was part of Spain's 2022 World Cup squad.
The now 30-year-old joined the Gunners in August 2023, initially on loan for a £3million fee. Edu included a £27million option to buy in the deal and less than 12 months later this option was exercised.
"I spoke to the boss and he sent me the values of what Arsenal are about," Raya said in 2023 after signing on loan. "The way that the club is going, it’s growing even more so it is a beautiful challenge to take and I couldn’t say no.
"I've seen Arsenal a lot for a lot of years and since [Mikel] came he's made a massive difference to the style of play and to the club. The way the team plays out of the back, being confident and taking possession to the other team is the main thing why I fit into the team. I'm going to try and help as much as possible and we’ll see what happens."
David Raya of Arsenal makes a save from Mateus Fernandes of West Ham
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David Raya of Arsenal makes a save from Mateus Fernandes of West Ham (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Raya has certainly helped. He has been instrumental in Arsenal's rise to the very top and his performances have helped the north Londoners become one of the most feared teams in world football.
The goalkeeper now has a Premier League winners' medal to his name and it probably won't be the last bit of silverware he wins during his time at the Gunners.
"After the last few years, coming so close but so far at the same time, it's just so worth it," Raya said after being handed his Premier League winners' medal. "What we have been through, what we have learned through this journey and celebrating with the players, the staff and obviously the fans is amazing.
"I think this Premier League means so much for me. Coming here (moving to England) as a 16-year-old and to be champion of England, back then I would never have thought that. It's one of the biggest days or the biggest day of my career."
When Raya joined Arsenal three years ago, it wasn't until mid-September that he became the undisputed No.1. Ramsdale was Arteta's choice at the start of the campaign but following the September international break, he was ruthlessly demoted to the bench. It proved to be a masterstroke by Arteta as the Gunners launched an unlikely title challenge but missed out to Manchester City by two points.
In 32 Premier League appearances Raya kept 16 clean sheets, ensuring he won the Golden Glove award in his first season in north London. His impressive performances meant Arsenal did not hesitate in making his move permanent, paying Brentford £27million in the summer of 2024.
Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana and David Raya
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Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana and David Raya pose with the Premier League trophy (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove for a second consecutive season, but this time shared the award with Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest (13 clean sheets each). While his first two seasons at the Gunners were trophyless, Raya established himself as one of the best shotstoppers in the world and this was cemented during the 2025/26 season even further.
The goalkeeper, who was born in Barcelona but came to England at 16 years old, kept 19 clean sheets in 37 league appearances as the Gunners won their first Premier League title since 2004. The Gunners conceded just 27 goals all season in the league and Raya made a number of incredible stops along the way, including an outrageous fingertip save from Yankuba Minteh's effort to help Arsenal to a vital 2-1 win over Brighton in December.
“He’s extraordinary, magnificent, and incredible,” said Arteta of Raya. “I don’t know the adjective, the right one. And with that, it’s enough. We are so happy to have him.”
Raya is a Premier League winner and will now have one eye on the World Cup, where he will go with Spain this summer. After that the Arsenal star will recharge his batteries but you wouldn't back against the goalkeeper from getting even better for the 2026/27 campaign.
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