Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Sun 17 August 2025 20:09, UK

Arsenal made a winning start to their 2025/26 Premier League campaign on Sunday, but they owe a huge debt of gratitude to goalkeeper David Raya.

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The Gunners have finished second three years in a row and are desperate to end their 21-year title drought — as proven by their lavish summer spending.

On Sunday, they opened the new season with a 1-0 win away at Manchester United, with Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute goal proving the difference.

However, it was goalkeeper Raya who was the hero of the piece for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Sunday’s clash was a tale of two goalkeepers, with United stopper Altay Bayindir making a huge error to gift Calafiori the only goal of the match.

United’s revamped attack — including Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha from the start — caused Arsenal problems throughout with its movement and lightning counter-attacks.

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But even when the Red Devils made it past William Saliba and Gabriel, they were met with a brick wall in the face of Raya.

Stats vs Man UnitedDavid RayaSaves7Goals prevented0.74High claims2Punches1Goals conceded0David Raya vs Man United (FotMob)

The Spaniard’s save down low to deny Matheus Cunha was the pick of the bunch, but Raya made seven stops in total at Old Trafford to the tune of 0.74 goals prevented (FotMob) — no goalkeeper made more saves than him over the course of the opening Premier League weekend.

Raya was also faced with a similar cross inside his six-yard box just before the hour as the one that caught out Bayindir.

However, he cleared it away with command and ease, with that just one of three combined punches and high claims he made on the day.

This is Raya’s 40th clean sheet in 97 appearances as an Arsenal player, and yet further proof that he has the potential to be a title-defining goalkeeper for Arteta.

“I’ve gone with David Raya for man of the match,” former Man United defender Gary Neville said during Sky Sports commentary.

“He’s made plenty of saves but he’s been dependable and solid.”

Meanwhile, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison praised the ‘difference’ Raya made in a statement result from Arsenal — who proved they can win even when not playing well.

“That’s the sign of champions when you don’t play well and still get the three points,” Morrison told the BBC.

“Man Utd will be frustrated that they didn’t get a point, but credit to Arsenal, they dug in.

“The difference was goalkeepers.

David Raya was outstanding, and Altay Bayindir made a huge mistake.”

From Peter Schmeichel and Petr Cech to Alisson and Ederson, every Premier League title-winning team has required huge moments from top-class goalkeepers over the years.

Raya has been an underrated commodity since moving to Arsenal, but once again proved on Sunday that he can mix it with the best, and pull his teammates out of holes on the biggest of stages.

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