Mikel Arteta hails 'crucial' Arsenal star as new club record set in Wolves win (original) (raw)

Arsenal were made to work hard for their 2-0 win against Wolves on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta praising one player who's been particularly influential for his side in recent months

Mikel Arteta was full of praise

Mikel Arteta hailed "outstanding" goalkeeper David Raya after Arsenal kept their sixth successive away clean sheet in the Premier League.

Raya, 28, was superb between the posts on Saturday as Arsenal produced a workmanlike performance in their 2-0 victory away to Wolves. The Spaniard's excellent reaction save to deny Joao Gomes at his near post in the first half while the game was still goalless proved decisive, as did goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners are now top of the Premier League again - albeit having played one more game than title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool - much thanks to wins at West Ham, Burnley, Sheffield United, City, Brighton and now Wolves over the past two months. Raya, who remains on loan from Brentford in a deal which is set to be made permanent this summer, has played every minute and his boss is full of praise.

When asked how crucial the 28-year-old's save to deny Gomes was, Arteta replied: "Very, because we didn't concede anything up to that point. We had some very open situations that would have changed the game for sure.

"David was outstanding in that moment to make the save that we needed and then we took advantage. I think he's been very consistent throughout the whole season. The numbers are proof of that. I think the timing of the first goal was really helpful as well. Really happy."

Reflecting on the record run, the Arsenal manager continued: "That's a very difficult thing to do as a team and especially in this league. Big credit to the boys because that gives us a huge platform to win football matches. Now we have another big one, a big London derby against a great team that are in good form, in front of our people. Let's do it."

Your turn! Is David Raya the best goalkeeper in the Premier League? Join the debate in the comments section.

David Raya kept a sixth successive clean sheet away from home in the Premier League (

Image:

Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Raya's terrific save came on the half-hour mark, bailing out Gunners left-back Jakub Kiwior after he was dispossessed by Gomes. 15 minutes later, Trossard made it 1-0 with a toe-poked strike before captain Odegaard sealed the three points deep into injury time.

Arteta also told Match of the Day: "It was a very good response, so proud of them. We reacted in the right way. We deserved to win the game and got another clean sheet again. Obviously disappointed to lose against Bayern, small margins but we have five games to go and we are top again.

"Even at 2-0 you are never sure and [Wolves] are a good side, they made some changes and caused us some problems."

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