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Gunners gamble pays off as ‘unbelievable’ star becomes one of the best in the world in trophy hunt

However, Kepa Arrizabalaga's struggles in the Carabao Cup final, and a not particularly impressive performance in the FA Cup defeat by Southampton that followed, emphasised the drop-off.

Tough questions on the team's drop in form and on his personal disappointment at watching from the sidelines were inevitable, but Arsenal trusted Raya to be a safe pair of hands off the pitch, too.

They were right. Raya was level-headed and in relaxed mood, the closest he got to rocking the boat coming when he dismissed the suggestion from Sporting manager Rui Borges that Arsenal were a "wounded beast".

Raya's return to the starting lineup was marked with a sublime performance. There were three top saves, including tipping Maxi Araujo's powerful strike onto the crossbar, and Raya was quick off his line to mop up balls over the top, too.

Man of the match: David Raya made a number of crucial saves as Arsenal beat Sporting in the Champions League

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The 30-year-old was named player of the match in the 1-0 win but the bigger compliment came just after that from his team-mate Kai Havertz.

“Unbelievable,” Havertz said of Raya. “I think he is still underestimated in the world of football.

“For me, in the last two seasons, he is the best keeper in the world. He’s outstanding. He’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Underestimated beyond the walls of Arsenal, perhaps, but certainly not within them. Arteta has backed Raya to transform his side ever since he usurped Aaron Ramsdale in the starting lineup and that faith has never dwindled.

"He's extraordinary, magnificent, incredible," Arteta said on Tuesday night. "I don't know the adjective, the right one. And with that, it's enough. We are so happy to have him."

It is strange to say for a goalkeeper, but Arsenal are a different team when Raya starts. The defence has an added confidence, knowing Raya has the bravery to come and claim crosses.

They can also step that yard or two further up the pitch. In the Carabao Cup final, Kepa was booked when charging off his line and cleaning out Jeremy Doku.

Raya, by contrast, never looks ruffled when stepping out, even when it was well outside of his box against Sporting.

"When you have, apart from the qualities of David, the courage, the will to do certain things, that's when you can reach another level," Arteta said.

Another Golden Glove award is almost inevitable. So too, surely, a return to the PFA Team of the Year after losing out to Matz Sels last season.

Gabriel and Declan Rice will likely garner more popular support, but there is a strong argument that Raya deserves to be the first goalkeeper to win Arsenal's player of the season award since Jens Lehmann 20 years ago.

There is a strong argument that Raya deserves to win Arsenal's player of the season award

He did not finish in the top three of the 2025 Yashin Trophy voting, but that will surely change when it is next handed out.

Much to Arsenal's benefit, Raya is not short of motivation. As well as the individual prizes, there is the obvious allure of the Premier League and Champions League.

Arteta kept faith with Kepa in the cups, but Raya will play every minute of the run-in if he stays fit. With nerves jangling and Arsenal not at their controlling best, the Gunners need him to keep producing match-defining moments.

Raya will be desperate to do so, too. The World Cup looms and he has made just one appearance for Spain since 2024.

He played in a recent friendly against Egypt, but it is Unai Simon who is first-choice and likely to start at the World Cup this summer. With Joan Garcia also in the picture, Raya faces a battle just to position himself as back-up.

That speaks to the Spanish strength in depth, but so too to Havertz's observations that Raya does not necessarily get the credit he deserves.

For Spain, that feels out of his control for now. At Arsenal, it is all there for him. Help lead the Gunners to one, or both, of the major trophies still on offer and Raya will elevate himself to a club great.