David Raya makes surprise claim about wonder save as Arsenal beat Aston Villa

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·24 August 2024

David Raya makes surprise claim about wonder save as Arsenal beat Aston Villa

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says his incredible save against Aston Villa on Saturday was not the best of his career.

The Gunners left Villa Park with all three points following a dogged performance that required some big stops from the Spaniard.

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Impact substitute Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock moments after being sprung from the bench by Mikel Arteta. Bukayo Saka then teed it up for Thomas Partey to blast the ball past Emi Martinez in the 77th minute and secure victory.

Villa should have taken the lead earlier in the half, however. A deflected shot looped over Raya and off the crossbar. Ollie Watkins was the quickest to react, connecting with a diving header that looked like going in, but the goalkeeper showed astonishing reflexes to keep the ball out.

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“Everyone is a hero because we work together,” Raya told Sky Sports. “It’s not just me saving the ball.

“It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances and I was there to save Ollie’s header.

“I think of what I remember, it’s a shot from outside the box. I’m on the floor so I try to get up and I can’t reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible I put my hand there and there’s no one there to get the ball.

“It’s just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don’t think it’s my best save.

“I try to help the team as much as possible to win games.”

Raya, who was this week named in the PFA Team of the Year for 2023/24, picked up last season’s Golden Gloves award for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League. The Arsenal star already started the campaign strong with two in two games.

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