The secrets of how David Raya became one of the world's best goalkeepers: Aerial dominance, the Premier League's No 1 shot-stopper, playing 'like a No 10' and the tweak that's opened up Arsenal's title charge

There was a time when Mikel Arteta was at pains to insist that David Raya was not, in fact, his No 1 goalkeeper. That position has very much changed.

But when the Spaniard had just joined Arsenal on an initial loan from Brentford in the summer of 2023, Arteta already had a decent custodian between the sticks in the shape of fan favourite and England international Aaron Ramsdale.

Arteta, whose press conference answers have been known to come with a significant pinch of salt, was asked whether Raya - brought in on the recommendation of Inaki Cana, who had already trodden the path from Brentford to Arsenal - was first choice.