Yeah, I'm a convert. Superb today, as he has been all season.

His handling is truly world class.

Makes it look so easy but his anticipation and jumps are always spot on with crosses

My fucking keeper. Love this guy. Getting better every game.

Kudos to Arteta for making such a brave decision last year and for being 2 steps ahead of most fans.

    Really assured again today, has definitely stepped up this season.

    Sicario2 - Tier 1 Kudos to Arteta for making such a brave decision last year and for being 2 steps ahead of most fans.

    Agreed, especially after seeing highlights of Ramsdale yesterday....

        JazzG
        I didn’t want to bring Ramsdale up but Sat (and 2024 on the whole for Raya) showed we 100 percent made the right call with our keeper decision.

          Qwiss

          The fact that Martinez’s name is not mentioned now when we are discussing an Arsenal keeper speaks volumes. Soon Raya will be better if he keeps this trajectory going. Martinez is big game player but can be error prone from time to time.

          Raya this season just seems ‘different’. Louder and more of an ‘aura’ about him.

              Martinez is the kind of guy you definitely want in a cup final (or semifinal) or a title decider game. I still think that we made the wrong call when choosing Leno over him.

              Anyway, water under the bridge. Raya is huge.

                AAStyle those games are the only reason he's nominated to Ballon d'Or etc. From day to day in the league for example he's not great. His last period with us and his first season at Villa was his peak. which is the reason nobody's been coming for him.

                  AAStyle It sounds like he made the club an ultimatum about being first choice. He probably would have taken the spot had he remained patient but he was desperate to be first choice but Leno up until his injury that season had looked like one our best players. So the club had to take that into consideration. Also the club can’t let players dictate to them whether they play or not so we made the right choice letting him go.

                  I do get it as well, he’s spent his whole life as reserve keeper and after he got a taste of first team doesn’t want to go back on the bench. As a player if you let these opportunities pass you might regret them. He can say his stance was justified because he broke into the national team and won the Copa America and World Cup.

                    I was against buying Raya even before we ended up getting him. When Brentford got promoted a few years ago we wanted him, but it did not happen. The only reason I was against it, is that he is so small. I need a 1.90 at least in goal, that's what I was thinking. But while I still think like that in general, he is an exception, his aerial domination and protection of his area might just be the best qualities he has, and that is saying something as I rate his passing a lot. Just grabs everything with ease....crazy to watch. Compare him to Vicario who is like 11 cm taller then him...but the italian is so weak and scared to grab any ball while Raya is just a baller.
                    Last season was good, but not great I think...but the way he started this season, he is moving into being great, just needs to keep it up...for good.

                    A lesser keeper would have fumbled one of Spurs' crosses or longshots but Raya just catches everything with ease - and he does it incredibly consistently. He's the new Safe Hands.

                    My fucking keeper

                    That is probably the best double save I’ve ever seen!

                    This guy. Wow.

                    Feels like he's gone up a level this season, maybe from being more settled and by extension more confident.