Arsenal are set to finish second once again in the Premier League, but it isn’t all doom and gloom for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners.
Despite missing out on lifting the title, there are several circumstances that can explain the downturn in form.
Arsenal’s injuries have been a clear problem, with some key stars missing matches at important times of the season.
Disciplinary issues and referee decisions have been a clear issue, with the North London outfit picking up the most red cards in the league.
Then there are problems with the overall performance levels, of which Mikel Arteta will have to address heading into next season.
Despite all of those problems, Arsenal will still finish second and have qualified for next season’s Champions League.
While Declan Rice has been one of the driving forces for that push to the top, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has praised another star.
- READ MORE: Jamie Carragher says he would be absolutely ’embarrassed’ if he was one Arsenal player right now
Ian Wright praises David Raya’s impact at Arsenal this season
Declan Rice has been praised for his important role for Arsenal in the midfield this season, especially in an attacking role.
The England international has come up with some important goals and plenty of assists during the campaign, being a real standout option.
Despite that involvement, Ian Wright believes Arsenal would be in big trouble if they were without goalkeeper David Raya, who has made some big interventions himself.
Speaking on Stick to Football, he said: “You know the thing with him [David Raya] as well, I was watching the other day and he looked a little bit shaky at the start, but he made a couple of saves there.
“You know, and when you consider what Arsenal have done, so many draws, if David Raya is not playing that team, I don’t know where we’d be this particular season.
Jamie Carragher then asked: “Who would be Arsenal’s player of the season this season? We might think Declan Rice, but it’s the supporters who watch them every week.”
Wright then hit back with: “One of them two. Probably, you know, the fans, it’d be tough to go against Declan, but you know, if it’s David Raya, you’d probably say, yeah, I could see that.
“Because as much as Declan has done this season, he’s eight out of ten in nearly all the games for us, I think David Raya not playing would have caused us a lot of problems.”
It shows just how key Raya has been at times this season, making some important stops at big moments, repaying the faith put in him.
David Raya’s 2024/25 statistics at Arsenal
The 2024/25 season is the second in which David Raya has been at Arsenal, with the goalkeeper stamping some authority on the number one position.
As the undisputed first-choice shot-stopper, the Spaniard has repaid that faith put in him with some top performances.
As per FBRef, Raya has a save percentage of 76.4%, which is in the 90th percentile across Europe’s big five leagues.
He is also in the top 10% of goalkeepers for crosses claimed and goals against, showing just how impressive he has been in key areas.
| Appearances | Clean sheets | Goals conceded |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 13 | 33 |
It’s a level of performance that Arsenal will be hoping for a repeat of next season, with the Premier League title in their sights.
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