David Raya Reflects On Clean Sheet Record, Squad Depth And Champions League Ambitions
Caption: Arsenal Spanish goalkeeper David Ra
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says his clean sheet milestone is a collective achievement, crediting his teammates and staff for helping him reach 42 shutouts since his debut.
“Yeah, of course, I think it was maybe two years I made my debut, and from there it’s been incredible,” he said. “And having that record, with 42 clean sheets, but that goes to the credit to the team, to the staff.”
The Spaniard also spoke about the importance of squad depth, highlighting the impact of substitutes. “It’s really important to have that depth. There are a lot of talking about the players that come from the bench. Leo comes from the bench and has an assist,” he noted, before adding: “I’ll leave that to the boss. I think he has a lot of quality players in his position, not just one player, there’s like five who can play in that position.”
Raya reflected on lessons from last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, admitting the setback has made the team stronger. “That it hurts, a lot losing in the semi-final. You get more mature,” he said.
Looking ahead to this season’s campaign, the Arsenal shot-stopper insisted the team is united in their ambitions. “We are, we have belief, we want to win, we are Arsenal and we play to win, that’s not a doubt. That’s what we play football for. It’s a long journey in the Champions League and the Premier League.”
The 29-year-old also spoke warmly about returning to San Mamés, where Arsenal will play in the Champions League group stage. “It was one of the Spanish stadiums that I have always enjoyed playing in,” Raya explained. “What I talk about with my teammates or with Unai, or with Nico or with Merino, the people who have played in Spain know it is an incredible stadium. It is incredible to be here.”
Raya admitted there was “a lot of noise” when he first arrived at Arsenal, especially with Aaron Ramsdale displaced from the starting role. “Obviously when I came to Arsenal there was a lot of noise, a lot of talk outside. Having Aaron, he’s an incredible keeper and out of nowhere he gets changed. There were a few games I could have done better, everyone has bad games, the noise was getting louder. I have to focus on the things I can control, I have to be deaf basically. Just believe in myself.”
He also praised Spain teammate Unai Simón, calling him “an amazing goalkeeper” and “a guarantee here and in the national team.”
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FELIX MAKONA
An editor at Signs Tv
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. WELL DRAWN INSIGHTS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY . THIS IS RANGING FROM PARALYMPICS, BALL GAMES, ATHLETICS, RUGBY, TENNIS, GOLF, RACING AND SAFARI RALLY
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