One to file away and worth points and morale too. Brilliant.
Raya joins Arsenal
Don Pacifico Feels like he's gone up a level this season
I think he's mostly just getting more opportunities to make saves this season so far. Hopefully it doesn't last.
DiabyKungFu yeah, you might be right. Either way he's been unquestionably good/reliable. Long may that continue.
He definitely has had some work done. Face shape and nose very different now.
Sicario2 - Tier 1 damn, had no idea.
Playing like prime Casillas this season. Insane double save
flobaba Towards the end there was that free kick when Everton sent everyone forwards and Pickford launched it into the box. Raya came out, claimed and was fouled. In my mind I was thinking Ramsdale would probably have sat back and let the defenders deal with it or tried to punch instead of catching, and then it becomes a 50-50 situation which could cause trouble at a critical point in the game. That's the kind of subtle difference in goalkeeping approach - taking the initiative and calming things down, keeping everyone comfortable - that wins you games and helps you defuse a potential shaky scenario.
This may not be a good situation for Ramsdale to be in and I sympathize with that, but it's 100% a win for Arsenal.
A year ago Flobaba wrote this about Rays claiming balls. It was very under appreciated because the dominant conversation at the time was about this 2 goalie nonsense that somehow became a story. This for me is one of his biggest strengths and has been on display all season. Not just the headline-making saves, or the distribution, the calm demeanour. This was an instant upgrade
TambourineMan he suffered a horrible injury in a collision with a player which basically jutted his nose back in to his head
So glad Arteta showed real courage to ditch Ramsdale and sign this guy. Everyone in the media and even some of our fans railed on him and he’s proven them all wrong. I’d gone off Ramsdale for a while now, he was becoming a liability for us.
If he wasn't in such amazing form we'd be in crisis right now. If something comes of this season we need to remember these last few matches.
I think its confidence. He was good last year, the 16 clean sheets proves that (along with a great defense). But he has more swagger this year. I don't feel all nervous when the balls comes near him this season. And its hard to argue conceding 1 goal in our first 5 games (and the only one we gave up was after Rice was sent off). All the while. making a few world class saves and generally being really secure. Maybe the time with Spain and winning the Euros (even though he was not their starter) has bumped up his confidence. Hopefully he keeps it going.
I feel like he was always excellent last season. He’s just had to deal with a rusty defense and have to be called on to do more of the last line of defense stuff right now. I don’t expect to see these heroics post October.
“Ultra Safe Hands”
Got glue on them gloves
Our defence has been very good for the most part, it's not like he's just producing great saves from 25 shots a match like Onana or De Gea. He's pulling off great saves from the 1 or 2 chances that are given away which is what makes it so impressive. Unless you're conceding 0xg per game, you're going to have to make match winning saves throughout the season.
Look at how shit Ederson was for our corners. Raya is a complete goalkeeper. Can do it all. Absolutely chuffed to have him. Long may his current form continue!
