4 months ago
33
DAVID RAYA pulled off a stunning stop to deny Ollie Watkins and admitted: “I don’t know how I did it.”
Arsenal made a massive title statement with a 2-0 away win against bogey-team Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Reuters
PA
Sky SportsWHAT. A. SAVE.
World-class from David Raya! 
pic.twitter.com/XJQVTwE7ef
The Gunners got revenge over Villa — who did the double over Mikel Arteta’s side last term — through second-half strikes from supersub Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.
But boss Mikel Arteta admitted that keeper Raya’s “magic” point-blank stop from Watkins’ header “changed the whole game”.
Raya, 28, had initially been left stranded as Amadou Onana‘s deflected shot looped over him and fortunately hit the crossbar.
The ball rebounded straight to the quick-thinking Watkins, who headed goalwards from point-blank range.
But the Arsenal keeper was somehow able to stick out an arm and make an incredible stop while also pushing it away from danger.
And man-of-the-match Raya said: “It’s one of those where you don’t know how you did it. It’s a fantastic save.
“I was on the floor and saw the rebound coming to Ollie, so I tried to get up as quickly as possible.
“It’s sweet to say all the hard work has paid off.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“It’s a crucial moment. They had their chances and I was there to save Ollie’s header.
“Everyone is a hero. We work together, it’s not just me saving. It’s Leo and Thomas scoring.
“You have to fight and dig deep and we did.”
And Arteta said: “David made an unbelievable save and it was the magic moment of the game.
“David’s save changed the whole game.”
Fans hailed the Spaniard’s heroics on social media.
One posted: “I’ve been watching Arsenal most of my life; that was the best save I’ve ever seen.”
It’s one of those where you don’t know how you did it. It’s a fantastic save.
David RayaA second wrote: “Raya that’s the best save I’ve ever seen.”
A third commented: “Raya save of the season already.”
Another said: “Send extra money for Raya immediately.”
While a fifth declared: “That Raya save is one of the best saves I’ve ever seen. Jesus Christ.”
Arsenal ratings vs Aston Villa: Raya and Saliba rock solid at the back but Martinelli toothless
ARSENAL made sure to keep pace with Manchester City as they bagged a late 2-0 win against bogey team Aston Villa.
Timely goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey helped Mikel Arteta maintain a 100 per cent start to the season.
But they owed a lot to keeper David Raya who somehow denied Ollie Watkins at 0-0.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners stars…
DAVID RAYA – 9/10
Other than watching Watkins’ shot dribble wide, a fairly quiet first half before a smart save to halt Rogers’ flick across goal.
He then pulled off an unbelievable stop on the line to deny a Watkins header, getting up off the floor after a deflected shot smacked the bar and bounced out.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Showed his quality in the opening few minutes to break Villa’s tricky block before leaving Onana in a heap with a hefty body check.
Likely to keep this starting spot ahead of Zinchenko.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 9
Immense. Watkins barely had a sniff up against him. Arsenal’s difference-maker in these tight, nervy games.
In a rare instance, lost his temper with McGinn in the first half, but regained his composure and was a rock at the back.
Made a late lung-busting run back to block a late counter and celebrated like it was a goal.
GABRIEL – 5
Very lucky not to hand Villa the lead. Stripped on the edge of his box claiming a foul but thankful to see Watkins somehow drag his effort wide.
Picked up a needless yellow in the second half for wild challenge on Onana. One of his poorer games in an Arsenal shirt with mistakes that should have been punished.
BEN WHITE – 7
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Villa lethal on the counter, covering superbly.
In pure White fashion, started a melee after smacking a ball into McGinn for doing the same to Saliba, with an expressionless look on his face throughout.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
Brilliantly stopped several early Villa counters and showed good physicality in his entertaining battle against McGinn.
Looked leggy late on but kept on by Arteta, and rewarded his manager with a rare goal.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Drove forward more with Partey sitting deeper. Lovely pass in behind for Havertz which should have been finished off.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Kept things ticking with some cute passes in the Villa final third and threw around plenty of tackles in the middle of the pitch.
Played in Saka in the 64th minute but the winger opted not to shoot, but three minutes later teed up Saka again to provide for Trossard.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 5
Had an early chance to break free down the left but his delivery into Saka was under hit.
Was just as lacklustre after the break and lucky to stay on for as long as he did, coming off in the 65th minute.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Looked to have put Arsenal ahead after 15 minutes but for a wonderful Martinez fingertip save.
Through on goal in the second half, he wrongly chose to try and round the Villa keeper and made a mess of his finish.
But, all that matters are his assists for Trossard and Partey – his persistence paid off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Unlucky not to find the net from a scrappy corner, hitting the bar with a toe poke. Wasteful in Villa’s box with two great chances squandered.
Worked hard, but not as clinical as he has been.
SUBS:
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 65) – 9
Almost gave Villa the lead within seconds of coming on, losing Ezri Konsa at a free-kick with a volley looping just wide.
But then, he pops up in the other box and instinctively curls in a beautiful finish.
Played his part in Partey’s strike too with a perfect run in behind.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (TIMBER, 80) – 6
Premier League debut for the Italian. Got in the good books of Arsenal fans by winding up Martinez almost instantly.
REISS NELSON (SAKA, 87) – N/A
Sub Trossard then netted a 67th-minute opener with his first touch.
And midfielder Partey added a second ten minutes later as his 20-yard strike slipped through Emi Martinez’s left hand.
Trossard barely celebrated his goal and admitted that he was frustrated not to start, with Arteta preferring Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
The Belgian, 29, said: “Everyone wants to start. When you score, it’s almost like you don’t know what is happening.
“I always try to change the game and it went mine and the team’s way.
“I know the competition. When you do very well, everyone wants to play games.
“David kept us in the game and it was great that we finished it off.”
Arteta hailed Trossard for his impact, adding: “He’s upset when he doesn’t play, he’s upset when he enters the pitch, but he still gives you what you need. He’s a great example to others.”
Villa boss Unai Emery said: “It was a test for us to understand who we are. We could have won.
“We created three very good chances. I’m proud.”
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from the Emirates
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·