David Raya, who has just bagged consecutive Golden Glove awards, insists that Mikel Arteta has not assured him of the number one goalkeeping role. The battle with new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga is still on—and Raya welcomes it.
Competition in Goal for Raya
Arsenal recently activated Kepa’s £5 million release clause. They recalled him from Chelsea after two loan seasons. That move put an end to speculation about the goalkeeper situation and established clear competition between Kepa and Raya for the No. 1 jersey. But Raya indicates that Arteta has not offered him anything. “Nothing,” he told reporters—only that Kepa is a new teammate joining the group, with no confirmation on who begins.
Raya Sees the Test as a Welcome Challenge
Instead of worrying, Raya takes this as a positive challenge. He and Kepa have a deep bond forged during international team work. Raya stated they have a good and “healthy partnership.” That rivalry, he insists, can drive both goalkeepers to excel.
From Rock-Bottom to Golden Gloves
Raya’s path has been anything but smooth. He has candidly described the time he felt he’d reached “rock bottom” after a subpar performance against Luton, even though they won 4–3. The game initiated a two-hour session with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana and assistance from a sport psychologist to reboot mentally and physically. His resurgence was dramatic. Three consecutive Golden Glove awards ensued, cementing his position as one of the Premier League’s best keepers.
What the Figures Tell Us
During his inaugural full season at Arsenal in 2023–24, Raya recorded 16 league clean sheets from 32 matches and collected the Premier League Golden Glove—a massive contribution for a newcomer. The following year he contributed 13 more to become the first Arsenal goalkeeper to win the award in successive years.
Those figures emphasize his significance—but anything can happen at Arsenal. Arteta leaving the door open indicates both goalkeepers need to be up to speed.
What This Means for Arsenal
Arteta’s choice carries risk and reward. Raya’s consistency and leadership kept the backline steady last season. But Kepa brings experience and strong distribution. Arteta appears to want neither goalkeeper to rest on past form—instead, he expects them to earn their place. This approach could foster motivation but might also put added pressure on both.
Behind the scenes, goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana continues to be a calming influence. He helped develop Raya at Brentford and is still instrumental in his development at Arsenal.
What to Watch Next
Arsenal is preparing for the new season. With the goalkeeping battle is the main point of focus and attention. Raya’s consistency from the previous season puts him an advantage. But Kepa’s sharpness and Premier League experience can’t be overlooked. Arteta can rotate early or settle quickly on a starter. Much will ride on who is more composed under pressure. Pre-season games will give clear indications about how this rivalry will play out and who will finally claim the No. 1 spot.
Final Thoughts on Raya
David Raya has established himself as a premier goalkeeper—but Arsenal’s recruitment of Kepa during the summer ensures he won’t become complacent. Arteta’s reserve on the No. 1 situation indicates a want for competition, not decisiveness. As pre-season wears on, both men will see opportunities to assert themselves. For Arsenal, how this battle of the goalies plays out might be just as valuable as any fresh transfer.
Author’s Note
At Arsenal, not even the goalkeeper position will come with ease. Raya has endured hardship, reprogrammed his thought process, and won two Golden Gloves. But now that Kepa is in the picture, Arteta is sending a message: job security is not a right, it must be earned.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
