Ball-playing goalkeepers have been key for the majority over the past few years but this summer saw some shift to taller shot-stoppers who aren’t as good with their feet.
Six foot 5ins Donnarumma came in for Ederson at Manchester City, 6ft 4ins Senne Lammens replaced Andre Onana at Manchester United, while Sunderland signed Robin Roefs (6ft 4ins).
But Premier League leaders Arsenal haven’t followed the trend as 6ft pass-first keeper David Raya remains their number one – having been a mainstay in the Premier League since moving to Brentford from Blackburn in 2019.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, winner of the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the past two seasons, has started the campaign in fine form – conceding just 10 goals to help the Gunners to the summit.
But why are Arsenal taking a seemingly different approach to others in the league and how important is he to their title challenge?
How Raya’s passing nulified Wolves’ press
Earlier this season, Arteta labelled Raya ‘the most attacking goalkeeper in the Premier League, by far,’ and he is always showing for the ball as soon as Arsenal start their attacks.
When teams press high, they are usually trying to achieve one of two things.
They are either aiming to force opponents into uncomfortable areas of the pitch, often towards the flanks, hoping they clear the ball or they aim to press in a man-to-man fashion, looking to directly win the ball back high up the pitch.
In Saturday’s 2-1 win against Wolves, the Premier League strugglers pressed Arsenal high with attackers curving their run attempting to force the Gunners to pass to a particular side.
Given the risk of losing the ball in these situations, most keepers play the simple pass in the direction opponents are encouraging them to play into.
Raya’s on-ball quality, bravery, and ability to read the situation allows him to take an unorthodox approach.
When pressed in this way, Raya would pass the ball to team-mates on the side with less space negating Wolves’ press, who were expecting the ball to be played into the areas they left open.
By subverting their expectations, Arsenal were able to nullify how effective Wolves’ press was while finding spaces to play through, given Wolves’ now-unsettled defensive shape.
