Tony Cascarino reckons £27m Arsenal player already has his hands on an end of season award

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Former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino has backed Arsenal to outperform every Premier League team in one area this season.

Arsenal head into the international break top of the Premier League table, taking advantage of Liverpool’s stumble.

The Gunners’ 2-0 win over West Ham saw Mikel Arteta’s side collect three points to remain at the top of the table.

Arsenal aren’t only one point ahead of Liverpool, but have a superior goal difference to the Reds, largely due to conceding six goals fewer than their title rivals already.

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Tony Cascarino thinks David Raya will win the Golden Glove again 

A few years ago, it would’ve been unfathomable for Arsenal to have conceded just one goal from open play over their opening seven Premier League fixtures.

Such a standard has just become the norm now under Arteta, who boasts one of the best defences in Europe. 

Speaking on talkSPORT after Arsenal’s win over West Ham, Tony Cascarino was eager to praise how good the Gunners are defensively.

“They are the best defensive team,” Cascarino said, before backing Arsenal to record the most clean sheets this season. 

“They’re going to keep the most clean sheets. That is going to enable them to have a chance to win it. I don’t see a collapse there.”

Cascarino’s prediction will sit well with those at Arsenal, especially David Raya, who would collect his third consecutive Golden Glove if he were to record the most clean sheets by the end of the campaign.

Premier League record for most consecutive Golden Glove awards

Raya has enjoyed a stellar start to the season in all competitions, conceding just three goals in nine appearances.

The £27m signing is already leading the way in terms of Premier League clean sheets, level with Nick Pope, who also has four. 

If Raya were to win the Golden Glove again this season, it would represent the first time that a goalkeeper has won three in a row since the 2012/13 season.

Joe Hart won the award in 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13, becoming the first player to win three on the bounce.

Raya will be eager to write his name in history alongside the former Manchester City shot-stopper, and the early signs suggest that it’s a real possibility.