According to reports, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals with the same attacking absentees, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. However, their second-best defensive record in the competition so far has reignited hopes for success against PSG.

In terms of goalkeepers who have conceded the fewest goals, David Raya, with only six goals conceded, is the second-best goalkeeper in the Champions League after Yann Sommer.

Interestingly, both goalkeepers are still in the competition, so the semifinal matches and a potential final will determine the winner of the Golden Glove award.

Ahead of this crucial match, Inaki Cana, Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, praised Raya in an interview with Marca and stated that when he proposed signing Raya as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, the English media launched severe criticisms.

Inaki Cana said: “I watched his games in the Championship and immediately after the season ended, I told Mikel Arteta, ‘Boss, we must sign him.’

However, when we were about to finalize his signing, people inside the club told us that the English media wanted to execute us because Raya was replacing an English goalkeeper, which they considered an insult.

Now, two years later, Raya plays a key role both in goal defense and in initiating attacks, often acting as a playmaker. Today, all experts agree that he is one of the best in the world with his feet, and no one doubts it. But the English media didn’t want him.”