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“Only use soap and water, and never put them in the washing machine. After washing, hang them on the line to dry. This is the simple advice that David Raya gives when asked how to prevent goalkeeper gloves from smelling. He has been presented with a pair of well-worn gloves, and his immediate recognition of the issue is evident in the size of his smile. Although he no longer has to deal with this problem, as he now receives new gloves every few games, it used to be a regular task for him. And it wasn’t just the gloves, but other equipment as well.”
The Arsenal goalie shares that his personal journey is not like the usual story of a football player. He sits down on the steps outside the dressing rooms at the Spanish federation’s Las Rozas HQ, which is located 25km northwest of Madrid.
This is the tale of a 16-year-old boy who departs his home country by himself and achieves his aspirations. He ultimately joins his country’s national team, competes in the Champions League, and plays for one of the top clubs in the Premier League and globally.
The day before his first official game for the Spanish team, Raya discusses his excitement for the upcoming match against Cyprus, which Spain wins 3-1. On Saturday, he will play with his home team Arsenal against Brentford. However, due to Premier League regulations, as a loaned player, he is not allowed to compete against his former team. In his place, Aaron Ramsdale will have the chance to prove himself amidst the ongoing debate over who will hold the No. 1 position at Arsenal. Despite this, Raya will still be present at the game. He wouldn’t miss it for the world. “I can’t wait to see everyone again,” the 28-year-old expresses.
It’s time to say hello to our friends and reflect on our experiences at Brentford and beyond. We remember playing on muddy fields and taking our kits home to wash, and the importance of winning for our teammates who needed the bonus money. We also reminisce about the promotion finals we’ve both lost and won. We think about reaching the Premier League and the unfortunate injury that happened shortly after, which we celebrated by wearing a T rex costume. “I’ve still got it,” he says with a smile. And now, we look ahead to what the future holds.
Raya describes his journey as challenging but also full of opportunities. When he arrived in Las Rozas in March of last year at the age of 26, he was met with headlines and questions about his identity. He understands why people were curious, as he had not played for any of the same clubs or in the same competitions as his current teammates, even from a young age. However, he sees this as a chance to prove himself and continue learning.
The journey began when a group of boys from a lower-level team, Cornellà, were invited to Blackburn. Some of them were only 11 years old. At 15, Raya, who was not a regular starter on Cornellà’s youth team and did not speak English, was the only one asked to stay. He had to wait until he turned 16 to make the move permanent. He got his first opportunity to play for the senior team at 18 years old, while on loan for Southport in a game against Macclesfield that ended in a 3-0 defeat with a crowd of 1,405. He played in various leagues, including the Conference, League One, and Championship. Despite only making 15 appearances in the top-flight with Brentford, he received a call-up from Luis Enrique. His first game was a friendly against Albania, which took place in Cornellà where he had played as a child, giving him a sense of destiny.
While participating in a training session at Brentford, he learned about the surprising call to join the selección. “My initial reaction was to hurry back to goal because I thought another drill was starting,” he remembers with amusement. “But my mind also wandered: ‘Wow, Spain.’ Could it be real? My phone was blowing up with notifications. It felt like a dream, thinking, ‘Wow, all that effort paid off.’ I believe I am finally showing them my true self.”
At Arsenal, he may still have to do so. Mikel Arteta brought him in and seems certain that Raya is his top choice – Ramsdale has only started once since September, but Arteta is hesitant to openly admit it. Raya finds himself caught in the middle of a heated discussion that threatens to overshadow everything else. While Ramsdale openly admits to struggling, pundits and the media scrutinize every aspect – not always accurately – and fans have taken sides. Raya is not interested in adding to the chaos. He simply focuses on giving his best performance.
During an extensive conversation, this is the only topic he avoids discussing. However, when it comes to his growth and progress, he delves deep into analyzing his game and the mental preparation that has shaped his career. He also openly discusses mistakes and the pressure that comes with being in the public eye. This shows his awareness of vulnerability and his ability to handle it effectively.
Some individuals were destined for success in football, but there are various ways to experience the sport. Each person must forge their own journey and cherish their experiences. My time at Southport for three months was one of the highlights of my career as it taught me valuable lessons. It felt like a glimpse into the real world, and I was only 19 years old at the time.
“We practiced at the nearby university. You brought your gear home to wash and came with your bag and towel. I was accustomed to this, having lived on my own since I was 15. It humbles you and reminds you not to take things for granted. There were teammates for whom the bonus for winning could mean the difference between making it through the month or not, having some money for their children or being able to pay for necessities such as water, gas, electricity, and mortgage. If I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have witnessed this. Now it is a deeply ingrained lesson for me.”
He proceeded to attend additional classes at Blackburn, initially serving as a substitute for Jason Steele before becoming the main goalkeeper in League One and contributing to their promotion. He then moved on to Brentford.
“The [Brentford] physio Nick Stubbings, Stubbo, was important: we had a connection, and when I injured my knee he was there for me. But it’s all the players and staff. Brentford was a blast and will always be home. I owe them a lot. The fans too: I saw them in the [Carabao] cup [in September], they gave me a good reception, so I think it will be the same or maybe even better. There was a lot of affection.”
One of the most significant individuals was Iñaki Caña, who is currently the goalkeeper coach at Arsenal. Raya explains, “He transformed my perspective on the game. He has a unique understanding of football and pushed me to do things that no one else had before. He encouraged me to be a proactive goalkeeper, anticipating and preventing situations rather than just making saves.”
Jürgen Klopp made a well-known statement that Raya has the potential to play as a No 10, which highlights his skill with his feet. However, this may have overshadowed other abilities he possesses. Raya explains that modern football requires goalkeepers to be more active with their feet and not just remain confined to traditional goalkeeping techniques. Despite this, Raya believes that people tend to solely focus on his footwork, while the statistics prove otherwise.
These demands come with risks, but according to Raya, that is a narrow-minded perspective. He believes that not being proactive can be an even greater risk. “People don’t understand,” he explains. “They only see the saves, but they don’t realize that my positioning and actions prevent many chances. My statistics for defending corners and crosses have improved significantly in the past five or six years. I used to rely on my speed to make saves, but now I try to avoid those situations altogether. There are also mistakes that I make that go unnoticed, but I am aware of them. Even though nothing may have happened, I still take note of them.”
Perhaps Caña served as an explanation for Arsenal’s strategy, but other teams like Tottenham were also intrigued. According to Raya, he spoke with Mikel about the opportunity. Brentford was aware of his desire to advance to the next level. “There’s more exposure and pressure, but that’s what you want when you’re at a top club. You have to handle it.”
Maybe not exactly in this way. It may seem a bit exaggerated, as if it’s a matter of status where factors like popularity and even nationality come into play. “Well, that’s your way of saying I shouldn’t get involved,” Raya explains. “Everyone has their own opinions. If people want to discuss, let them. Aaron and I have a great relationship and we’re both here to support the team. The manager decides who plays, and that’s the end of it. There will always be debates, especially at a club like Arsenal.”
Regarding mistakes, the ones that are visible to people and constantly scrutinized, this has always been the case.
In every competition, errors are bound to happen. However, when a goalkeeper makes a mistake, it is more noticeable. The key is to have a strong mindset and not let it affect you. I believe that the ability to bounce back from a mistake cannot be trained; it is a quality that comes from within. Growing up and being independent at a young age, away from my parents, forced me to mature quickly and that has contributed to my mental strength.
“Impacts on-field performance should not be affected by errors. However, they may affect you afterwards. The goalkeeper is often alone in these situations. If a mistake is made, it’s best to let it go and focus on the present. Concentrate on the ball, track its movements, and communicate with teammates. This not only benefits them, but also helps maintain mental clarity and readiness.”
Sports psychologists can also be beneficial. Nowadays, it is more common for clubs to have a sports psychologist than not. It is important to seek their help when you are feeling good, so that you have the necessary tools to cope with and bounce back from difficult moments. Raya illustrates this by snapping his fingers, indicating that with their assistance, you can quickly get back on track.
“I have come to understand that the journey I have been on has taught me to value things and has shown me that with determination, anything is possible. Starting from the bottom and reaching the top has humbled me, kept me focused, and motivated me to never give up. I have yet to reach my full potential, and I believe there is no limit to how much I can improve.”
Source: theguardian.com
