Arsenal Coach Backs Claims Raya Was ‘Robbed’ of Yashin Trophy

Arsenal goalkeeper coach Iñaki Caña has made it clear he believes David Raya should have been awarded the Yashin Trophy at last night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Raya was among seven Arsenal nominations across the awards in London, but missed out on the prize for the world’s best goalkeeper to fellow Spaniard Unai Simón, whose performances helped Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.

The pair embraced at The London Palladium Theatre, after Peter Schmeichel revealed the winner, though the legendary shot-stopper claimed the outcome was 'not a surprise'.

The decision clearly did not sit well with Caña. The Arsenal coach took to social media on Tuesday and reposted 13 posts on the matter, many of them from supporters furious that Raya had been overlooked.

Among them was a video from user Peakfighterr, who passionately ranted, ‘Unai Simón won what?! The award for Goalkeeper of the Year should have gone to David Raya... the game is gone! I cannot believe Unai Simón won this over David Raya.’

Caña also shared a post from dafc.tb, which pointed to Raya’s achievements over the course of the season and questioned whether his club had counted against him.

‘The Premier League winner that got his third Golden Glove in a row is not the Yashin Trophy winner. The goalkeeper that got to the Champions League final is not the Yashin Trophy winner. Because there is someone else, who played only in the World Cup, who is abysmal for Athletic Bilbao... but because they won the World Cup?

‘Iconic performance, after iconic performance, but David Raya will never get the recognition he deserves because he plays for who? Because he plays for what? Because what badge is on the chest? Arsenal’s! They hate us, because they ain’t us!’

Caña’s reaction is perhaps unsurprising given how closely he has worked with Raya. The pair first worked together at Brentford, before Caña joined Mikel Arteta’s staff in 2021. Two years later, Raya followed him to north London, initially on loan before completing a permanent move in 2024.

Since then, Raya has established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe. His third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove was a key part of Arsenal ending their 22-year wait for the league title, while his performances also helped the Gunners reach a first Champions League final in two decades.

Raya also believes that without his spectacular save to deny Mateus Fernandes at West Ham last season, Arteta's side would not have lifted the league title.

Simón’s case, meanwhile, was built largely on the international stage. The Athletic Club goalkeeper played a starring role as Spain lifted the World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, and the Yashin Trophy has often rewarded those who shine at major tournaments.

Raya is already making a strong case to be considered for next year's award, though it is early in the campaign, as he has recorded nine clean sheets in 12 matches in all club competitions.