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David Raya reveals what he did at Arsenal after hitting ‘rock bottom’

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David Raya shared the Golden Glove this season with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Raya credited his Arsenal teammates for their role in winning the award after the Spanish keeper ended the campaign with 13 clean sheets in the Premier League.

It is the second consecutive season that Raya has won the award and a testament to the defensive solidity Mikel Arteta has brought to his Arsenal side.

Arteta made the difficult Raya decision to sign the goalkeeper and replace the popular former shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale – his judgement has been vindicated.

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Raya during his career at the Emirates Stadium.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans already tell Andrea Berta their next demand after contract success with ‘best defender’

David Raya is presented with the Golden Glove award after Southampton FC v Arsenal FC in the Premier League clash.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

David Raya reveals ‘rock bottom’ moment at Arsenal

Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘Fozcast’, Raya told former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster that he was at ‘rock bottom’ after a shaky performance in Arsenal’s 4-3 win over Luton back in December 2023.

Raya stated: “I felt like I hit rock bottom. Obviously with the goalie coach we literally after the game, we were in the training ground, we played that night and we were at the training ground for two hours talking.

“We spoke about things we could change and he just helped me a lot in that situation and he believed in me and we had to change things.”

Ian Wright believes Raya was player of the season for Arsenal and it shows the character and resilience of the Gunners number one that he was able to bounce back from such a tough time.

David Raya reveals moment he felt ‘connected’ with Arsenal

Raya was signed in the summer of 2023 and did not have much time to integrate with his new teammates ahead of that campaign.

The Spanish international revealed that it was only halfway through his debut season that he really felt ‘connected’ with the club and his colleagues.

Raya explained: “It got to Dubai in January when we had a week off because of the winter break and that Dubai was like my pre-season because I didn’t have a pre-season with Arsenal and it was five or six days of training where I feel like I connected even more.”

David Raya’s Arsenal recordAppearancesGoals concededClean sheets
Raya968139
David Raya’s Arsenal record via Transfermarkt – correct as of 30/05/2025

Fans are impressed with Arsenal’s new kit and the unveiling of the new strip was also a significant moment for Raya in his Gunners career.

Raya will be number one next season for the first time in his North London adventure and is another clear indication of the trust he now holds at the club.