Arteta: Signing David Raya was transformative for Arsenal —he’s proven he belongs among the very best

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said the signing of David Raya 'elevated the team to a different level'.

The 31-year-old has become one of the best goalkeepers in world football since signing for Arsenal from Brentford in 2024, winning three consecutive Premier League Golden Gloves.

Last weekend, the Spaniard saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty 121 seconds before Arsenal opened the scoring at Sunderland.

Raya's save was the latest massive moment in his Arsenal career, the culmination of a rise that included a spell in non-league with Southport. Arteta admits Raya's rise is a 'great story' and said the goalkeeper has proven himself as one of the best.

"One of the best”: Arteta praises David Raya’s rise from non-league to Arsenal’s game-changing No.1

"That is a great story. For any kid to look at trajectories and pathways and how you can reach the highest level in football," Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.

"I always maintain that with that motivation and enthusiasm it can happen. Now football is so connected that you can get scouted and in two or three years be playing a the highest level.

"I think it's his mentality. David has tremendous qaulity but he has overcome a lot of difficulties and challenges to reach this point. It wasn't easy at the beginning, he had to dig in and prove himself.

"Now, he has the right to be one of the best."

Arteta was asked whether Raya had been his best signing as Arsenal manager and added that the goalkeeper's arrival definitely elevated his team to an entire new level.

"He's been a tremendous signing, there is no question about that. Whether he is the best or not is just an opinion. It doesn't matter, we are so happy to have him. He has elevated the team to a different level and now we have to maintain that level."