David Raya’s remarkable run continued in Arsenal’s 3-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague, earning the club their eighth straight clean sheet and 10th consecutive victory. The result saw Arsenal equal a defensive record last achieved in 1903, when the club were still based in south London.
The Spaniard was rarely tested, facing only one shot on target – comfortably saved – after a late VAR overturn spared him a penalty. Raya has now gone almost 13 hours without conceding, with only 12 shots on target faced in that time.
Despite the ease of recent matches, Raya insists he must remain sharp:
“You never know when the other team will have a chance,” he said. “I have to be alert for 90 or 100 minutes every game.”
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his keeper’s professionalism and consistency, crediting Raya’s work with goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña, who has mentored him since their Brentford days. Raya, who holds the Premier League’s best save rate (84.2%), is also one of the most active keepers outside his box, recording top speeds over 31 km/h in the Champions League.
Having overcome early challenges in his Arsenal career, Raya’s focus on proactive goalkeeping and mental preparation has turned him into a cornerstone of Arteta’s team. Arsenal now stand as the first English top-flight side in over 100 years to win eight consecutive games without conceding — but Raya says he’s taking nothing for granted ahead of their trip to Sunderland.
