Raya says Arsenal still have the hunger to defend their title

Raya insists Arsenal still have the hunger required to defend their title. The goalkeeper made that point after a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest moved Arsenal into second place, three points behind leaders Manchester City. The contest at the City Ground was tight, and the visitors needed a late breakthrough to take all three points.

“We know very well that we won the league, but that belongs to last season. We have the same thirst for success this year, so we have to stay fully focused and fight on every pitch,” Raya told the Premier League’s official channels. In his view, last season’s title offers no guarantee: the task now is to maintain the team’s standards and fight for another championship.

The goalkeeper also stressed the contribution of the substitutes to the win. “Even the teammates who start on the bench know exactly how important they are, because they can change games like these,” he said. The result was especially satisfying after Arsenal’s recent difficulties at Forest. Raya noted how rarely his side had left that ground with a victory. “Coming away with the three points from a ground like that has a fantastic taste,” he said.

His contribution goes beyond making saves. Raya explained that he regularly joins the team’s possession and passing drills to prepare for opponents who press aggressively and try to force mistakes when Arsenal build from the back. “Arteta asks us to take risks to get past the first line of pressure. Whether I’m managing the ball at my feet or reading the team’s style of play, I feel completely comfortable,” he added.

That comfort on the ball is part of Mikel Arteta’s approach, which allows Arsenal to use the goalkeeper as a passing option when opponents close down the defenders. The win at Forest also showed the team finding a way through a difficult match. To stay in the title race and mount another challenge to Manchester City, Arsenal will need to maintain its concentration and desire, as Raya emphasised.