Arsenal hero Alan Smith has praised one Gunner for producing a ‘spectacular’ piece of skill in the Premier League game away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta took his north London giants to the seaside as Arsenal continued their quest for a first Premier League title in 20 years. It was at this stage last season that the wheels fell off the wagon at Emirates Stadium with the Gunners only winning three of the final nine games.
Their late-season collapse allowed Manchester City to win the 2022/23 Premier League title with three games to spare. But Arsenal are firmly in the fight with the Citizens and Liverpool for the 2023/24 crown thanks to summer captures Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and David Raya.
Alan Smith hails David Raya’s ‘spectacular’ save in Arsenal’s trip to Brighton
Arteta has trusted Rice, Raya and Havertz with instrumental roles in Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League title. All three started at Brighton on Saturday, as well, with Rice opening his 30th, Havertz starting his 23rd and Raya opening his 25th top-flight fixture for the Gunners.
Raya has only missed two Premier League games since earning his first start for Arsenal last September at Everton, too. The Catalan goalkeeper had to miss the Gunners’ matches with Brentford in November and March due to being on loan from the Bees for the 23/24 season.
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The 28-year-old showed why Arteta unquestionably trusts Raya to start for Arsenal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale at Brighton, as well. His magnificent save to deny the Seagulls an equaliser through Julio Enciso in the closing stages of the first half also drew lavish praise from Smith.
“He has the spectacular in him and this needed a spectacular save,” Smith told Sky Sports Main Event (6/4, 18:14). “Brighton certainly [have] got the players who can hurt Arsenal.”
Seagulls star Julio Enciso forced a special save from David Raya
Enciso forced Raya to make a special save at full stretch out to the Spaniard’s left-hand side in the 44th minute. The winger unleashed a dangerous attempt from range after jockeying Bukayo Saka outside of the Gunners’ box. It would have found the top corner but for Raya.
Raya got his full right-hand glove behind the ball to palm Enciso’s attempt out for a corner to further capture the spotlight. It was Brighton’s first shot on target, as well. But the four-cap Spain star stood strong to keep the Gunners’ ahead and earn the praise of club hero, Smith.