David Raya - Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
David Raya has backed Arsenal’s “incredible” squad to compete for multiple trophies this season, insisting the team’s depth and versatility give them the edge in both domestic and European competitions.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League and have emerged as strong favourites to win the title. Their blistering 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League further underlined their credentials as genuine contenders on all fronts.
Raya, who has been a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, believes Arsenal now have the resources and quality to sustain challenges across competitions and finally end their six-year trophy drought.
When asked if the squad can handle competing on different fronts, the Spaniard replied:“Yes, I think so. I think the depth of the squad is incredible.
“We have a lot of players and we have a lot of players that can play in two, three, four different positions. Like against Atletico, Mikel Merino came on as a striker and he can play as a No8, he can play as a No.10.
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“So, that’s the variety that the boss has and he’s using it for our advantage and for the best of the team. It’s looking very, very good and that depth is very important for us.
“It also gives you an extra level in training and in games because if you’re not at it every day, you can lose your spot in a fraction of a second. So, that gives that competitiveness in training and in games. That’s really, really important and everybody is on board with that.”
Arsenal’s emphatic win over Atletico also brought another clean sheet for Raya, his ninth of the season. While the scoreline was impressive, the goalkeeper stressed that defensive solidity remains just as vital as attacking flair.
David Raya
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya (Image credit: Getty Images)
“Clean sheets are always important,” Raya said. “I give them the same credit as goals, you know. If we continue keeping clean sheets, that’s going to make games easier to win them.
“So, it is really, really important and especially for the whole team, not giving away that many chances and being very, very solid.
“It’s a team effort. It’s a collective effort from the striker to the goalie. So, everyone is on it, everyone doesn’t want to give anything and everyone wants to intercept that ball before it is getting even to the halfway line.
“So, if we intercept that ball, that means we can have a short counter. It’s really, really important for everyone to feel that way and we’re not giving away that many chances, which is perfect.
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“You never know when the other team is going to have a chance. So, you have to be alert, no matter how we’re playing or how we play. I have to be alert 90, 100 minutes every game.”
Known for his composure and passing from the back, Raya has also been mixing up his distribution this season with longer kicks. However, the 29-year-old dismissed suggestions of a major tactical shift, insisting that his approach depends on the flow of each match.
“I don’t think I kick the ball that long,” he said. “But it just depends on the time of the game, especially if we are winning and it’s 10 minutes to go. You just have to play long, because you don’t want to attract any attention, and try to play from second balls.
“But from the start against Atletico, I think we play very, very short, especially. So, it just depends on the game, depends on the time of the game.”
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