So that is why Arsenal signed David Raya. For all the chatter about modern goalkeepers needing to be playmakers, nothing beats one who can keep the ball out of the net when the opposition look certain to score.
With the match goalless early in the second half and Aston Villa’s belief growing, Amadou Onana’s shot from the edge of the box clipped Arsenal defender Gabriel and looped towards goal. Readjusting quicky, Raya leapt backwards and turned the ball on to the bar.
He was not finished there, either. With no defender in sight, Ollie Watkins seemed certain to head in the loose ball yet as the Holte End prepared to celebrate, Raya flung himself forward and pushed it away.
Less than 15 minutes later, substitute Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch to put Mikel Arteta’s men ahead and Thomas Partey sealed the win not long afterwards. Villa keeper Emi Martinez – who left Arsenal four years ago – should have done better with that one, which made Raya’s stops look even more impressive. Martinez believes he has become the world’s best since leaving north London and he was taunted mercilessly by the travelling supporters after that error.
Nothing will be decided at this stage of the season but last term, two defeats to Villa effectively cost Arsenal the title. Though the Gunners got lucky at times here, it felt like a hugely significant result.
