David Raya extended his remarkable unbeaten run as Arsenal’s defensive excellence continued with an eighth consecutive clean sheet in their 3–0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague.
The Spanish goalkeeper was briefly tested late on when Slavia were awarded a penalty, prompting him to sprint to the touchline to consult goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña — a routine the pair began at Brentford. The spot kick was eventually overturned by VAR, preserving Raya’s flawless record in Europe this season.
Arsenal have now gone 12 hours and 56 minutes without conceding, equalling a club record that has stood since 1903. Raya has made just seven saves in four Champions League outings and boasts the Premier League’s best save rate at 84.2%.
“You never know when the other team will get a chance,” said Raya. “I have to be alert for 90 or 100 minutes every game.”
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his goalkeeper’s focus and anticipation, while data from Opta shows Raya is among the quickest goalkeepers in Europe, reaching 31.34 km/h in the Champions League.
Since a difficult spell early in his Arsenal career, Raya has developed into a commanding and proactive presence, often described as “the first attacker and the last defender.” His partnership with Caña has been crucial to that evolution — and to Arsenal’s record-breaking defensive form.
