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Arsenal’s defence has been the heart of their success under Mikel Arteta and this season is no different.
They’re the only side in the Champions League yet to concede after two games, despite William Saliba being sidelined since the World Cup.
That’s made for some quiet nights at the back, but Joe Hart thinks one player deserves more credit for those than he gets. The former England and Manchester City No.1 was speaking on Overlap Daily alongside Peter Schmeichel, and he explained why one Arsenal player sets the perfect example for young players.
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The pair were discussing David Raya, with Schmeichel giving Arteta credit for the signing, which ‘surprised’ him at the time. Hart picked up on one part of Raya’s game that he says often gets overlooked.
“Do you know what I love about him, Peter? And I’ve got a young son who’s gone in goal,” Hart said. “I love the message that he sets off because people will say, ‘Oh, he’s had games where he doesn’t do anything.’
“His foot movement and his energy and his intensity in the game. It’s not about not touching the ball. It’s about he’s constantly planning for the worst-case scenario, and he’s ready to snuff it out. And I think that’s a real talent.”
He’s right. Raya can go long spells in a game without having a save to make, especially with how well Arsenal’s defence has performed in recent years, but he’s always switched on and ready when he’s needed. That’s part of the reason he’s won the Premier League Golden Glove three seasons in a row, and why he’s now aiming to become the first goalkeeper ever to win it four times on the trot.
Raya currently has three clean sheets in the league this season, trailing Brighton stopper Bart Verbruggen at the top of the charts with four.