David Raya: Style of play, stats, international caps, previous clubs, odds & more

On current form, David Raya has a credible claim to be considered the best goalkeeper on the planet.

This is some statement considering the Spaniard's humble beginnings in the game, spending the first half of the 2014/15 season on loan at Southport in the fifth tier of English football from Blackburn Rovers.

Raya has enjoyed an incredible rise over the past decade, making his name at Brentford before ousting Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's number one.

The start of this 2024/25 season has seen Raya's stock reach unprecedented levels, with world-class saves against Aston Villa and Atalanta highlighting a goalkeeper at the very top his game.

We examine Raya's background, profile and stats in the latest instalment of In Focus.

David Raya age, nationality & background

Aged 29, David Raya Martin was born on 15th September 1995 in Barcelona.

Attributes

Height and build

David Raya is 6ft and of lean build.

Preferred foot

Raya is naturally right-footed but is very competent with his left foot.

Style of play

Raya is renowned for being a vocal and commanding goalkeeper who is very self assured.

At 6ft, Raya may be considered relatively small for his height. However, this does not stop him from comfortably claiming crosses and asserting dominance from his goal.

Adept with the ball at his feet, Raya very much fits the mould of a modern day 'sweeper-keeper.' With Arsenal often opting for a high line in defence, the Spaniard is quick off his line to detect any potential danger in behind the Arsenal defence.

Much to the delight of Mikel Arteta, a standout attribute of Raya is his ability to play out from the back. Whether it be in short build up, or finding Germany international Kai Havertz high up the pitch, Raya is capable of picking out his teammates with accuracy on a consistent basis.

Raya excels in the shot-stopping department, showing terrific concentration in the Arsenal goal to make crucial saves when he is rarely called upon.

After signing on a year-long loan from Brentford last summer, Raya is now a permanent Arsenal player. With Arteta's modern outlook on the game, Raya's style of play was clearly seen to suit the Gunners more than former goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

David Raya odds

PFA Player of the Year

Premier League

UEFA Champions League

(Odds will display when markets are available).

David Raya Stats

Premier League 2024/25 stats

Metric	Total	Premier League rank
Saves	14	3rd
Save rate	93.3%	1st
Goals conceded	1	1st
Clean sheets	3	1sr
Catches	8	1st
Errors leading to goals	0	1st

(Source: Opta).

Career so far

Previous clubs

David Raya spent time as a youngster at Spanish side Cornellà, before making the move to Blackburn Rovers in 2014.

Raya spent time on loan at Southport United in the National League in the 2014/15 season, playing 16 times for the club.

Two years after joining Blackburn, Raya made his first team debut in 2014, and went on to make 98 appearances for the club before moving to Brentford in 2019.

Raya spent time in the Championship with Brentford, before gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2021.

After impressing in the Premier League for two seasons at the Bees, he attracted the interest of Arsenal.

In August 2023, Raya signed for Arsenal on loan, with this move becoming permanent for £27m in the summer of 2024.

International caps

Raya made his senior debut for Spain in a 2-1 win against Albania in an international friendly in 2022.

Despite the brilliant form of Raya in recent seasons, the goalkeeper has only been awarded eight caps in all competitions for Spain.

Playing Albania has clearly been a good omen for the Spaniard, with his most recent Spain appearance coming in a 1-0 win in the group stage of Spain's victorious Euro 2024 campaign.

David Raya: What they said

I just have to deliver for the fans and the club. I'm just in a good way now and need to improve as always.

- David Raya

Last year was already very impressive and very good but this season he has started exceptionally. You need this from your keeper at this level and I am really happy he is in the form he is in at the moment.

- Mikel Arteta