David Raya has won the Premier League Golden Glove after another outstanding season behind Arsenal’s title-chasing defence.
David Raya has won the Premier League Golden Glove for the 2025/26 season, claiming the award for the third time after another outstanding campaign behind Arsenal’s title-chasing defence.
The award was confirmed after Manchester City conceded in their Premier League fixture, with Gianluigi Donnarumma unable to stay in the race. Donnarumma had 13 clean sheets before City’s match against Everton and needed a shutout to keep his hopes alive.
Raya now has 17 Premier League clean sheets this season, and he could still finish on 20 if Arsenal keep opponents out in their remaining league fixtures. That would put him within reach of a significant Arsenal benchmark, with David Seaman holding the club’s Premier League record of 19 clean sheets in a season, achieved in both 1993/94 and 1998/99.
The all-time Premier League record remains Petr Cech’s 24 clean sheets for Chelsea in 2004/05, the first season in which the Golden Glove was awarded. Raya cannot surpass that mark this season, but his tally has still been central to Arsenal’s title push.
The award is a major individual milestone for the Spain international, but it also reflects the structure and consistency Mikel Arteta’s side have built across the campaign. Arsenal’s defensive record has been one of the strongest in the division, with Raya providing calm distribution, command of his area and important saves in key moments.
The clean sheets have not come from goalkeeping alone. William Saliba and Gabriel have again formed a powerful centre-back partnership, while Arsenal have also used Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and others across the defensive line. Declan Rice’s presence in midfield has added another layer of protection in front of them.
Still, Raya’s role should not be understated. In Arteta’s system, the goalkeeper is asked to do more than stop shots. He helps Arsenal control possession, plays through pressure and manages the rhythm of games from deep. His reliability in those areas has become a major part of how Arsenal play.
The award also continues Raya’s development since arriving from Brentford. There was scrutiny around Arsenal’s decision to move for him, but his performances have steadily justified Arteta’s faith.
For Arsenal, the Golden Glove is more than an individual honour. It points to the standards they have set without the ball and the platform their defensive structure has given them in the title race.
Raya will receive the personal recognition, and deservedly so. The challenge now is to add to that tally and finish the season with both individual and collective rewards.