David Raya
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has hailed his side’s resilience after their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute header, capitalising on a misjudged corner from United’s Altay Bayindir, proved decisive in a match where Arsenal struggled to dominate. Despite registering just nine shots to United’s 22 and seeing only 38.1% of possession, Raya’s sharp reflexes between the posts ensured a clean sheet and secured all three points.
Speaking toArsenal.com after the match, the Spanish goalkeeper emphasised the collective effort, crediting “the willingness, the fight, and the spirit” as the key ingredients behind the Gunners’ opening-day Premier League triumph.
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“We showed the willingness, we showed the fight, and we showed the spirit that we have altogether,” Raya said. “It was a tough game. We knew it was going to be tough coming here to Old Trafford, but we take the three points and the clean sheet, and we move on.”
Raya admitted the performance left room for improvement, echoing Bukayo Saka’s earlier warning about “sloppiness and bad decisions” that gave United opportunities.
David Raya
David Raya made the most saves (7) of any goalkeeper in the Premier League opening weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It’s not the best game we’ve played, for sure, but it’s a massive three points,” he acknowledged. “We need to be better with the ball, but the fight and the spirit were there.”
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The result capped a promising start for Arsenal after a summer of heavy investment, with Viktor Gyokeres (£63.5m), Martin Zubimendi (£51m), and Noni Madueke (£42m) all joining the squad.
Gyokeres, newly appointed as the club’s penalty taker, endured a subdued Premier League debut, but Raya was optimistic about what lies ahead. “We’re a team, and we’ll keep growing together,” he added.
Manager Mikel Arteta will be encouraged by the team’s determination, but both Saka and Raya’s candid assessments highlight the need for sharper performances if Arsenal are to end their long wait for a Premier League crown.
With a demanding campaign across domestic and European competitions, the Gunners’ resilience may prove as crucial as their firepower.
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