It might have been the second of the match, if not for VAR as soon as once more stealing the limelight. No surprises there, then.
David Raya had pulled off arguably Arsenal’s greatest save of their season, previous to unarguably the most important VAR name in Premier League historical past.
There have been so a lot of them from the Spaniard this season, his catalogue of stops rivalling any goalkeeper in world soccer.
They embrace a stoppage-time save to disclaim Alejandro Garnacho in opposition to Chelsea on March 1 with the rating 2-1, backpedalling to tip the ball past the far publish; it required each drop of his athleticism. Arteta admitted afterwards: ‘My coronary heart virtually stopped. However David’s hand was there to convey it again to life.’
Again in December, he had thwarted Brighton on the Emirates with a surprise save to cease Yankuba Minteh’s curling strike.
But neither of these nice stops had been fairly as spectacular as what the 30-year-old managed to tug off right here on 78 minutes. Pablo prodded the ball by way of to Mateus Fernandes, who evaded Gabriel’s deal with and located himself one-v-one in opposition to Raya, with an age to choose his spot, too.
David Raya’s excellent save to disclaim Mateus Fernandes will show a key second if the Gunners win the title
Mikel Arteta has heaped reward on the Spanish star, who has been essential this season
He must have scored, attempting to present the Spaniard the eyes, earlier than capturing in the direction of his close to publish — however Raya unfold himself and stopped together with his proper leg. It was a stupendously good save, and typified how the Gunners have managed to remain forward in video games all through a lot of this marketing campaign.
Even when they don’t seem to be at their greatest, Raya has stepped up on numerous events to make the distinction.
The VAR drama will naturally be the primary speaking level from this match. However as soon as the mud settles, we should always bear in mind Raya’s heroics, too.
It additionally sealed an 18th clear sheet of the marketing campaign and thus a 3rd consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award, equalling a feat achieved by Pepe Reina, Ederson and Joe Hart. Declan Rice receives the plaudits most weeks for his performances, and rightly so, however Raya deserves simply as a lot reward.
If Arsenal do carry a primary title in 22 years, the contributions of Raya will take up a sizeable portion of their end-of-season montage.
What added to the brilliance of Raya’s save was the context of the state of affairs. The strain couldn’t have been higher. Fernandes’ shot entering into could nicely have been the second Arsenal’s title dream ended.
But, Raya was, once more, in a position to shut all that out and ship. Having endured Kepa Arrizabalaga’s poor show within the Carabao Cup remaining in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, Raya’s availability has been paramount for Arsenal.
‘Whenever you discuss magic moments, that is actually probably the most wanted moments, to tug off that save, it was unbelievable,’ purred Arteta.
The Premier League trophy, sporting crimson ribbons, made a pitchside look on a day when Arsenal merely needed to win to maintain their title dream on monitor.
Something aside from three factors would have swung the momentum again to Manchester Metropolis, who would’ve regarded set to go on and seize the title.
Arsenal had seemingly already used up their 9 lives. Then Raya reached again and located one other in his pocket.
Arteta had opted for continuity, fielding an unchanged line-up for the third consecutive match, for the primary time in two years.
That try for stability went out the window on 28 minutes, Ben White taken off with a knee challenge. You felt for him, a person who has endured many issues together with his knee previously 12 months and a half — and now his World Cup dream is in critical jeopardy.
Martin Zubimendi got here on, with Rice shifted to proper again. The momentum abruptly shifted from full, utter management to a sudden spike of confidence for West Ham.
A stoppage-time save to forestall Alejandro Garnacho from equalising for Chelsea in March is amongst his spectacular catalogue of saves
Simply earlier than the top of the primary half, Raya needed to produce a superb save to maintain out Taty Castellanos’ header.
Arteta did the suitable factor, bringing Rice again to midfield, substituting Cristhian Mosquera on to play proper again — and later giving Zubimendi the double-substitution therapy by taking him off for Kai Havertz. Ruthless, however vital.
Within the remaining third, Leandro Trossard deserves a point out, too. Arteta stated in January that the diminutive Belgian had gone up a stage each season. This afternoon proved his level completely.
Throughout the first 10 minutes, he had arrange Riccardo Calafiori with a elegant instep cross, and got here shut with two headers: the primary saved out by Mads Hermansen, the second by the publish.
He carried on in that vein, threatening the West Ham backline with dainty runs and neat footwork. His match-winning objective, deflecting in off Tomas Soucek, was a product of his need to attain and get in the suitable positions.
Nonetheless, the ultimate phrase rests with Raya. The world’s greatest goalkeeper at current? You’ll be onerous pressed to say in any other case.
