Three outstanding saves already this season.
Jorgen Strand Larsen
One nil up, a cross into the box was met by Wolves new striker. Raya's weight was on his left, but he managed to readjust and pull off a great save to his right. On first look it was a very good save, but when they showed different angles the true class of the save was highlighted.
Ollie Watkins
The game was 0-0 and Villa were on top. A long range Onana shot took a wicked deflection and the ball looped over Raya. The ball rebounded off the bar and with Raya on the floor, Watkins looked certain to score. However, Raya sprang up and pulled off an outstanding save to deny Watkins.
Mateo Retegui
The second half was still in the early stages when Thomas Partey got caught out and conceded a penalty. A long stoppage for VAR didn't help Retegui, and when he stepped up to take the spot kick it wasn't great. Raya made the save, but the ball popped up straight to Retegui. With Raya grounded and three quarters of the goal gaping it seemed certain Atalanta had the lead. However, Raya sprang into action and produced an astonishing save to deny Retegui again.
His performances this season have been almost faultless in all areas of his game, conceding just once in the 5 games and keeping 4 clean sheets. He made big saves/interceptions against Brighton and Spurs as well. All the stats are in his favour too. Last season people were demeaning his golden gloves, saying he has it easy behind such a great defence. This season he has proved his quality.
Well done David Raya, long may it continue.
David Raya...
posted on 20/9/24
At the moment he surely belongs in the category one of the best goalkeeper in Europe.
posted on 20/9/24
I was definitely wrong about Raya (well proven wrong, anyway) - I thought at best he was a very slight upgrade on Ramsdale but clearly now he has shown his quality is in fact another level to Aaron.
posted on 20/9/24
I said all I needed to say about Raya during the Ramsdale debates last season. This is merely justification.
posted on 20/9/24
He started badly last year, but you could see him growing into his role as the season progressed.
Arteta did not help him with the "sub my keeper off" rant. We know now that was just an indirect threat towards Ramsdale. There was also lots of animosity towards Raya because ramsdale was a fan favourite, and he struggled to settle. But eventually, you could see why arteta preferred him.
This season he's been awesome. The saves as you've mentioned, but he's kept up his incredible record at catching crosses, is not afraid to jump off his line and play on the ball like a spare CB, and his distribution itself is at a high level.
posted on 20/9/24
the villa save I thought was oustanding.
Last nights save though, id be very disappointed if I was the striker. Not a great pen, and the header is rubbish.
Your back 5 is very impressive nowadays.
posted on 20/9/24
Love Raya and we were all wrong about Arteta choosing him over fans' fave Ramsdale,
Can't keep on asking him to pull off wonder saves though as eventually we'll come unstuck
posted on 20/9/24
comment by Calafiori knows how to Partey (U21076)
posted 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
I said all I needed to say about Raya during the Ramsdale debates last season. This is merely justification.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well aren't you great.
posted on 20/9/24
Let's face it the first half of last season when he looked shaky was imo down to the media love in with Ramsdale. Any slight error he made be it a miss kick or rubbish punch was highlighted like he just killed a few kids.
posted on 20/9/24
comment by BO$$™ (U6401)
posted 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
Let's face it the first half of last season when he looked shaky was imo down to the media love in with Ramsdale. Any slight error he made be it a miss kick or rubbish punch was highlighted like he just killed a few kids.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To be fair he made a few clangers last season at Chelsea and Luton come to mind. The way Arteta handled that situation was poor if he had just said Raya was his number one from day one then some of those errors might have been avoided.
posted on 21/9/24
Raya has been brilliant so far this season but him needing to be brilliant too often is a little concerning.
I thought he had some good moments last season (but not enough and not enough big saves). I still have some concerns about his lack of height for a professional goalkeeper and I haven't forgotten he had some bad moments last season too (like against Bayern Munich) that cost us.
I think recency bias is perhaps making people a bit over-critical of Ramsdale now, he's still a good goalkeeper and may have different strengths / weaknesses to Raya but in terms of the system Arteta wants us to play, Raya is definitely the better fit, he definitely seems better with the ball at his feet, although still takes some risks which leave me feeling very nervous / annoyed at times, thankfully they generally don't lead to too many costly errors.