The pillar of Arsenal's efforts was their incredible defensive unit, with everyone playing the role as part of a 5-4-0 formation that saw the visitors camped outside their own penalty area. Heading it up was the imperious David Raya. Off the back of his Champions League heroics, the 29-year-old pulled off a number of important saves and was dominant in his command of his 18-yard-box.
Raya's importance to the Gunners cannot be understated. Which is why fans will nervously be waiting after some worrying footage was released of the goalkeeper in the aftermath of the physical encounter.
In the hours following the hotly contested draw at the Etihad, a video emerged of the former Brentford star making his way out of the Etihad stadium. However, he wasn't walking too freely as it was clear that Raya was carrying some form of knock based on how he was limping.
The goalkeeper had gone down for a substantial period during the second half, but this was believed to be due to cramp. In the footage, though, he could be seen sporting a bandage over his knee and refused to speak to reporters while seemingly being in some discomfort.
A potential injury to the man who sealed a permanent move in the summer on a deal worth £85k p/w is not what the Emirates doctor ordered. The club's injury list is already substantial, and another big name being added to it as they try to build momentum both domestically and in Europe could be catastrophic.
With the exception of Odegaard, no one on the list is as important to the squad as Raya. In fact, one could argue that he is even more important than his skipper. As brilliant as the 25-year-old is, the Gunners have proven their ability to adapt against Tottenham and Manchester City. They also have serviceable strength in depth in the middle of the park. Without Raya, the drop-off in between the sticks would be substantial, as very few have come close to his level in the entire Premier League in the last 12 months.
Statistically, Raya has been nothing short of incredible since he made the move to North London on an initial loan last summer. He kept 16 clean sheets in the top flight a season ago which handed him the Premier League golden glove award. He has backed that up with another four in six in all competitions this term.
Premier League Golden Glove Winners List
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Since the invention of the award, David Raya is only the second Arsenal goalkeeper to win the Premier League golden glove outright.
He also ranked in the 96th percentile in minutes per goal conceded as the Gunners let in the fewest number of Premier League goals in a single season since Liverpool managed to let in just 22 efforts during the 2018/2019 campaign. That is Arsenal's lowest figure since Arsene Wenger led them to just 17 conceded strikes in 1998.
David Raya's 2023/24 Premier League Statistics
Stat
Raya
Clean Sheets
16
Shots Faced
68
Saves
45
Minutes per Goal Conceded
120
Goals conceded
24
However, where he has been most impressive, is in keeping out efforts that he has no write in doing so. In the Premier League alone this season, Raya has conceded 1.3 fewer goals than the xG against him suggests he should have. That is by in large to some incredible stops, namely the effort to deny Ollie Watkins from point-blank range against Aston Villa.
Incidents like that, cannot be measured purely by statistics. Instead, they are just admired. Often duplicated, never replicated. And Arsenal cannot replicate their number one in any way, shape or form. For their sake, they will need to hope Raya makes a speedy recovery.
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