Reporter: Raya Is Expected To Win The PFA Player Of The Year Award, With His Superb Save And Three Consecutive Gold Gloves Becoming The Epitome Of The Season

Hupu News on May 11, according to talkSPORT chief football reporter Alex Crook, in Arsenal's 1-0 away victory over West Ham United, goalkeeper Raya once again became the key figure in determining the outcome. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove Award for the third consecutive season. If the Gunners finally win the league title, the Spanish goalkeeper is expected to break the 48-year goalkeeper drought and become the first goalkeeper to win the PFA Player of the Year since 1978.

Raya has completed 18 clean sheets in 36 league games this season, with a clean sheet rate of 50%. In the Champions League, he has only conceded 4 goals in 13 appearances. In the away game against West Ham United, at 0-0, he used his right leg to block Fernandez's low shot from very close range, and then was fouled in stoppage time to preserve the victory.

This is by no means the first time that Raya has stood up at a critical moment this season. Last December, against Brighton, he saved a curved ball from Minter with a flying posture, thus preserving a very precious victory. Two weeks ago, against Newcastle, he reacted very quickly. He lifted Tonali's deflected ball past the near post to preserve the 1-0 victory. In the game against Chelsea in March, he sideways to save Garnacho's inevitable goal. Arteta said after the game that that moment made his heart skip a beat.

During his time at Manchester United, Schmeichel won five Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and two Champions Leagues, but he never won the PFA Player of the Year award. In fact, the last goalkeeper to win this honor was Peter Hilton in 1978. At that time, there was almost a gap of two generations before the 30-year-old Raya was born. If Arsenal relies on defensive resilience rather than flashy offense to lay the foundation for the championship this season, then the goalkeeper position that has been underappreciated for many years may finally be able to wait for their historic change. And 12 years ago, the Spaniard guarded the gate for Southport in the National League.