Mikel Arteta hails David Raya’s ‘magic moment’ against Aston Villa – as Spaniard’s stunning stop helps Gunners earn impressive away win
- Arsenal earned a 2-0 win against Aston Villa to maintain their impressive start
- David Raya made a crucial stop from Ollie Watkins with the game still goalless
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Mikel Arteta hailed David Raya’s second-half save to deny Ollie Watkins as the ‘magic moment of the game’ to set up Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa.
With the score 0-0, Amadou Onana’s shot had defected off the crossbar, before rebounding to Watkins in the air. The striker headed the ball to the goal from just yards out, but an outstretched Raya pulled off a great reflex save with his left palm.
Arteta said: ‘They had the big chance that David (Raya) made an unbelievable save and it is was the magic moment of the game.
‘We conceded really little and it’s a big credit to the team as it is a difficult place to come, but when we needed him (Raya) he was there and made a terrific save.
‘(I thought) it was a goal because I saw the reaction of the defensive line. The ball goes on the crossbar and we are all watching the ball and I went, “No, please” and then I see the striker (Watkins) in that position and normally they will (score) but David’s reaction is unbelievable.’
Mikel Arteta hailed goalkeeper David Raya’s ‘magic moment’ in their victory over Aston Villa
Amadou Onana’s shot had defected off the crossbar beyond a diving Raya in the second half
Raya recovered to produce a diving stop when Ollie Watkins headed the rebound goalwards
Afterwards Raya reflected on how he pulled off the move and doesn’t think it was his best save.
Raya said: ‘Everyone is a hero because we work together. It’s not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances and I was there to save Ollie’s header.
‘Of what I remember, it’s a shot from outside the box. I’m on the floor so I try to get up and I can’t reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible. I put my hand there and there’s no one there to get the ball.
‘It’s just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don’t think it’s my best save.’
