The most recent task facing David Raya is to rival Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal.

With an eye towards a £27 million summer transfer, the 27-year-old Spaniard has signed a £3 million loan agreement to play for the Gunners.

Raya finally completed a loan move to Arsenal 

David Raya has joined Arsenal on loan

Raya spent time on loan at non-league teams in his early years. Southport

There are many who disagree with the signing, though, including MOTD 2 expert Shay Given and talkSPORT’s Darren Bent.

Raya’s rise to popularity and eventual development as a top-tier custodian began while he was on loan at Blackburn Rovers, where he was placed in the non-league Southport team.

It is said that the sweeper-keeper has “hands like shovels” to improve his ball handling skills.

Chosen from a state of darkness

For a meagre sum of £100,000, David Raya, then 15 years old, was traded from the Spanish third division team UE Cornella to Rovers.

The Lancashire club was confident of his ability to help after just one game.

Steven Drench, a player-coach who presently works as a coach at Chorley, provided him with mentorship.

Raya’s transition from the youth divisions to the first team was managed by Drench.

Raya has shown gratitude to his previous instructor for selecting him to be his current keeper.

The person in question, who is Spanish, has a very European style of goalkeeping, according to Drench’s report to Sky Sports. But what really stood out to him was his superb technique, deft shot-stopping skills, and relentless agility.

Drench claims that he trained extensively in futsal throughout his childhood in Spain, which helped him become skilled with the ball. But we trained him extensively in football, golf, and head tennis, with an emphasis on improving his distribution skills—which we saw as a significant strength.

Because I can play with my feet, I have been able to play till I am 37 years old. In the modern game, keeper foot skills are evaluated by coaches as the first and most important factor. Would they be able to save money? Can they possibly collect crosses? Can they take care of their feet well?

“He is a perfect fit for Brentford because of his distribution, which is a huge advantage, and his compatibility with their football style.” On the other hand, because of his self-assurance with the ball, he can fit in with any team in Europe’s best divisions. He is comparable to an extra outfield player.

Raya began his football dream at third tier UE Cornella 

In 2014, Shotstopper Raya agreed to a professional contract with Blackburn.

Success outside of the league

As all athletes are aware, non-league baseball can provide the finest foundation for a child.

Raya briefly played for Southport, who were at the bottom of the sixth division, during the 2014–15 season.

In an effort to allay Conference Premier club fears of relegation, manager Gary Brabin was brought on board.

Brabin remembered, “He was a young custodian right down the pecking order at Blackburn.”

“You’re wondering if he will have enough experience for this relegation fight. therefore you require great moral qualities.

“A new manager takes over, the team is at the bottom of the league, and many people were depressed and wondering what would happen next.” With David, however, such was not the case. It was wonderful to capitalise on his incredible persona, which was full of confidence and vivacity, and to share it with the rest of the squad. The team spirit was excellent.

His feet truly caught my attention. We played a lot more football on the ground than other teams at our level because of David’s self-assurance, and we soon moved up out of those bottom four spots. Because he was so good, he was essential to that.

At Southport Raya became a cult hero

Raya was outstanding for the non-league team in an FA Cup third round match at Derby County. 

“Having him at the back made us feel secure, and he wasn’t only stopping the ball—he was also initiating our play. He served as our foundation, and it worked out well for us.

Blackburn #1

By the 2017–18 campaign, 6’1” Raya cemented his position as Rovers #1.

His cat-like reflexes and skill with the ball helped his team advance from League One to the Championship.

The size of his hands was one characteristic that set him apart from his colleagues.

Drench remarks, “The thing about David is that he’s been fighting against that stereotype. He’s not your normal 6ft 4in, 6ft 5in custodian.” He must therefore possess a tiny bit more spring, power, and athleticism.

David Raya’s massive hands have been likened to shovels

“You have to be able to make those saves that would be top-drawer saves. But the way he moves around the goal and the way he plays with his feet makes him the all-round package.

“When he made a save, we’d always joke that he’d spin on his bum and go the other way. I didn’t want to take that away from him because he could cover the goal that quickly.

In 2018, Raya helped Blackburn get promoted to the Championship 

Raya boasts hands like shovels according to a former coach 

Last year Raya became a Spain international 

“You see some of the saves he makes now, he’s saving the ball two or three yards past his post because his feet are that quick. He’s that agile and powerful that when he does take that step, he’s covering more of the goal. He’s making difficult saves look very, very easy.

“And if you ever meet him, he has hands like shovels, they’re massive.”

Brentford and beyond

In 2019, Raya earned a move to the Bees in a £3million transfer.

He was nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2020 London Football Awards for his efforts during the first half of the 2019–20 season. He also shared the EFL Golden Glove trophy with Bartosz Biakowski for the season’s 16 league clean sheets.

He helped his team get promoted to the top division the following season by posting 17 clean sheets.

The most astounding statistic, though, was that he attempted 300 more passes during that season than any other goalie in the Championship.

His first victory in the Premier League was against Arsenal, and he inked the date 13/08/21 of that memorable triumph on his neck to remember it.

Raya has since gone on to become a Spain international, making his debut against Albania last year.

Raya has a tattoo on his neck commemorating his first ever Premier League victory match 

He usurped Aaron Ramsdale and has not looked back since taking his place in the team

Raya, 28, wears size 11 goalkeeper gloves which are made by The ONE Glove – the largest size available on the company’s website.