Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya continues to anchor one of the stingiest defenses in football history, as the club matched a 122-year-old record with their eighth straight clean sheet following a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
Raya, who has not conceded in 12 hours and 56 minutes of play, has made just seven saves across four European matches this season — a testament to both his form and Arsenal’s dominance. The Spaniard’s 50th clean sheet in 110 appearances for the club saw him surpass Jimmy Ashcroft’s record set in 1903.
While some fans joke he could “work from home and still keep a clean sheet,” Raya insists he remains vigilant:
“You never know when the other team is going to have a chance. I have to be alert for 90, 100 minutes every game,” he said.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his keeper’s focus and leadership:
“It’s the way he is naturally. David anticipates everything — he’s exceptional.”
Raya’s partnership with goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña, dating back to their Brentford days, remains key to his composure and positioning. With a Premier League-best 84.2% save rate and unmatched pace off his line, the 30-year-old has evolved into Arsenal’s “first attacker and last defender.”
Now, with Arsenal unbeaten in 10 straight games and setting defensive records unseen since the early 1900s, Raya is determined not to let standards slip ahead of their next test against in-form Sunderland.
