David Raya has won the Premier League Golden Glove for the third straight season, and the West Ham win showed why it is hard to argue with the award. He finished with 18 clean sheets in the league this season, then made three saves in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at the London Stadium and was rated 7.2 for the match.
The biggest moment came late, when Mateus Fernandes went through on goal and Raya kept him out in a one-on-one. VAR then ruled out West Ham’s 95th-minute equaliser for a foul on the goalkeeper. That sequence mattered because Arsenal are top of the Premier League with 76 points from 35 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, and they do not have much room for soft concessions now.
Why this clean sheet run matters
Mikel Arteta put it plainly after the game: "When you talk about magic moments, this is certainly one of the most needed moments as well to pull off with that save. He was incredible." Shay Given was even more direct, calling it "a massive save in the scheme of the Premier League title" and saying, "Third season in a row, Golden Glove winner. This guy is the real deal." Raya himself said: "Huge performance from the team and another clean sheet to keep the momentum going. Golden Glove secured. 2 left."
The numbers back up the sense that Raya has been steady all season, not just decisive at the end. His Premier League rating is 6.95, and his Champions League rating is 7.36. That does not turn him into the headline act in every game, but it does support the broader view that Arsenal have built their title challenge on a keeper who keeps producing when the match gets tight.
What comes next for Arsenal
The Golden Glove is done, but the season is not. Arsenal still have the league lead, and Raya’s save at West Ham was another reminder that their edge is being protected by small margins as much as by goals at the other end. If they stay in control, this is the sort of moment that will get remembered as part of the run-in rather than just a neat individual award.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
