Mikel Arteta defends his polarizing decision to recruit the Spaniard, citing the goalkeeper's elite mentality and transformative impact on the Gunners’ pursuit of domestic and European silverware.
Mikel Arteta has explained why Arsenal were so determined to sign David Raya, praising the goalkeeper’s personality, mentality and work ethic.
That call has since been vindicated. Raya has become one of Arsenal’s most consistent players, winning the Premier League Golden Glove for a third successive season and helping the Gunners fight for the title while also reaching the Champions League final.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Burnley, Arteta said the decision to bring Raya in was one the club fully believed in.
“When you are convinced about something, and it wasn’t just me, it was Inaki as well, the goalkeeping coach, it was Edu at the time, the sporting director, to support the idea, we gave them all the elements to understand that the club has to support it,” Arteta said.
Raya joined at a difficult time, with Ramsdale still at the club and the goalkeeper position under heavy scrutiny. Arteta acknowledged that challenge, but said Raya had the character to handle it.
“And then a player with that tremendous personality to fulfil the role that was demanded at that time, when it was very, very difficult,” he said.
That personality has been matched by Raya’s level on the pitch. His distribution has helped Arsenal build from the back, but his shot-stopping has also been decisive in key moments across the season.
Arteta said: “What David has done for us in the last few years is incredible.”
The Arsenal manager also pointed to Raya’s daily standards as a major reason behind his rise.
“His work ethic, his mentality, his approach to every training session, it’s outstanding, it’s phenomenal,” Arteta said.
Raya’s journey has not been straightforward. He started in non-league football before working his way up through the divisions, and Arteta believes that background has shaped the way he approaches his career.
“It’s incredible, his journey, the way he has matured, the way he had to earn things,” Arteta said.
Raya now goes into tonight’s game against Burnley as one of the clearest examples of Arteta’s recruitment judgement being rewarded.
The decision to bring him in was uncomfortable at the time, but Arsenal have since been repaid with consistency, clean sheets and big saves in decisive moments.
Against Burnley, with the title race still in Arsenal’s hands, Arteta will want more of the same from a goalkeeper he backed long before the move looked obvious.