David Raya Secures Third Consecutive Premier League Golden Glove, Matching Van der Sar's Clean-Sheet Record

Key facts

• David Raya has 17 clean sheets in the 2025-26 Premier League season, a personal best.
• Gianluigi Donnarumma has 13 clean sheets with four matches remaining, meaning he can only draw level.
• Raya is the fourth goalkeeper in Premier League history to win the Golden Glove three years in a row, joining Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson.
• Raya recorded his 43rd clean sheet in his first 100 Arsenal appearances, matching Edwin van der Sar's record at Manchester United.
• Arsenal have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season (26), followed by Manchester City (32).
• Raya's £27 million transfer fee is now considered a bargain given his performance.
• Arsenal are still in the Champions League semi-finals, having conceded only six goals in the competition.

Raya's Golden Glove Secured as Donnarumma Concedes at Everton

David Raya has guaranteed at least a share of the Premier League Golden Glove award for the 2025-26 season after his closest rival, Gianluigi Donnarumma, conceded three goals in Manchester City's 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday evening. The Arsenal goalkeeper leads the clean-sheet standings with 17, a tally he reached during Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Fulham last Saturday. With Donnarumma on 13 and only four league matches remaining for City, the Italian can now only draw level with Raya. Raya would win the award outright if he keeps a clean sheet in any of Arsenal's three remaining games or if Donnarumma concedes again.

A Third Successive Golden Glove: Joining an Elite Club

By securing the Golden Glove for the third consecutive year, Raya becomes only the fourth goalkeeper in Premier League history to achieve the feat. He joins an elite group that includes Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson. The achievement underlines the 28-year-old's growing influence at Arsenal, where his reliability has been central to the club's sustained title challenge. His 17 clean sheets already represent a personal best in a single Premier League campaign, surpassing the 13 shutouts he recorded in the 2024-25 season, when he shared the Golden Glove with Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest.

Defensive Dominance at the Emirates: Arteta's System and Raya's Role

Raya's success is a testament to the defensive structure built by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium. Working behind centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, Raya has become the final piece of the puzzle for a team that has consistently proved the toughest to break down in the league over the last three seasons. So far this season, Arsenal have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League, with 26, ahead of Manchester City (32), Manchester United (48), and Liverpool (47). In the Champions League, where Arsenal remain in the semi-finals, they have conceded just six goals.

Matching Van der Sar's Record: 43 Clean Sheets in 100 Appearances

Raya's clean sheet against Fulham was his 43rd in his first 100 appearances for Arsenal, matching the record set by Edwin van der Sar during his time at Manchester United. This statistic highlights the Spaniard's remarkable consistency since his £27 million move from Brentford, a fee now widely regarded as a bargain. While Raya has a long way to catch the all-time Premier League clean-sheet leader, Petr Cech (202 shutouts in 443 appearances), his current trajectory suggests he could reach 172 clean sheets by the time he makes 400 appearances, based on maintaining his current rate.

What Comes Next: Title Race and Champions League Ambitions

With the Premier League title race still alive and a Champions League final potentially on the horizon, Raya will be hoping to keep more clean sheets to help Arsenal secure silverware. Arsenal travel to West Ham United on Sunday, while Manchester City host Brentford on Saturday. If Raya keeps a clean sheet in any of Arsenal's remaining three matches, he will win the Golden Glove outright. The Gunners' defensive solidity, anchored by Raya, will be crucial as they pursue a first Premier League title since 2004 and a first European Cup.

Legacy in the Making: Raya's Place Among Arsenal's Greats

The question of whether David Raya is Arsenal's best ever Premier League goalkeeper is gaining traction. His 43 clean sheets in 100 games match Van der Sar's record, and his three consecutive Golden Gloves place him in rare company. While the club has had legendary goalkeepers in the past, Raya's consistency and impact on a title-challenging side set him apart. As the season reaches its climax, his performances will be central to Arsenal's hopes, and his legacy continues to grow.

The bottom line

• David Raya has secured at least a share of the Premier League Golden Glove for the third straight season, with 17 clean sheets.
• He is only the fourth goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove three years in a row, joining Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson.
• Raya's 43 clean sheets in his first 100 Arsenal appearances match Edwin van der Sar's record at Manchester United.
• Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, conceding just 26 goals.
• Raya's £27 million transfer fee is now seen as a bargain, given his consistent performances.
• The Spaniard could win the Golden Glove outright if he keeps a clean sheet in any of Arsenal's remaining three matches.