David Raya has called on Arsenal to play without fear as they look to win a first Premier League title in 22 years and a first piece of silverware since 2020.
The Gunners are fighting on all four fronts, with the chance of completing an unprecedented quadruple still a possibility for Mikel Arteta’s side.
After reaching the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since winning the competition in 2020, focus returns to the Premier League where Arsenal have the opportunity to extend their advantage at the top over title rivals Manchester City to seven points when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
Wednesday 18th February 7:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
And Raya believes he and his team-mates need to enjoy the ride with plenty of twists and turns still to come.
“Confidence and enjoyment are the most important thing in this sport,” Raya told Sky Sports.
“Being confident is the most important thing to be a footballer. You have to be confident, and you have to enjoy it because if you don’t, you’re not going to be yourself. You’re not going to be able to help the team.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mikel Arteta shares his post-match thoughts are Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away to Brentford and insists his side are still pushing and feel in control in their title push
“If you play without fear you cannot play football. You’re not going to enjoy the moment, you’re not going to enjoy being on the grass.
“So, confidence is going to be key for us. Everyone needs to be confident to know what they’re doing, and the main thing is to enjoy the process.
“Everything is open,” he added when asked about the run-in to the season.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
David Raya made a poor throw out to Mathias Jensen which caused immediate pressure on Arsenal’s goal, with a header from Brentford striker Igor Thiago but the Spaniard was able to redeem himself with magnificent save
“We cannot think too much about it. We just have to focus on ourselves and go day by day, training session by training session and game by game, which is the most important thing.
“If you think too far ahead, you’re not going to see it. So, just go in the present.”
‘Squad togetherness could be key’
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ Dave Reed looks back at how Arsenal have performed in previous Premier League run-ins under boss Mikel Arteta
Raya has now been with Arsenal since the summer of 2023 and has been part of the nucleus of the squad which has finished second in the Premier League in the previous two seasons.
The 30-year-old, who had spells with Blackburn and Brentford before moving to north London, has hailed the togetherness in the Arsenal squad and believes the culture created in the dressing room by Arteta and his staff could play key part in them getting over the line at the business end of the season.
“The whole squad is bonded together,” he said. “We are literally like friends and team-mates at the same time.
“It makes it so easy for everyone and for everything in life, not just on football, outside as well. You can go with whoever you want to go to do some other stuff outside of football. I think that’s a really key thing that we have in our dressing room.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Brentford and Arsenal
“I’ve been lucky to have really, really good dressing rooms and the dressing room I had at Blackburn was incredible, and at Brentford as well, but I think this one is different, especially having that many nationalities and the way we interact with each other. It’s not like groups or anything like this.
“Obviously, I speak more with the Spanish speakers, but you get along with everybody and it’s something special to have it this way. I think it’s credit to the boss and credit to the staff to create this culture at the club where we all get along, not even just with the players, the staff as well.
When asked if that squad togetherness could be pivotal in finishing the season on a high, Raya added: “It’s a key thing. Having those goals together and how good it could be if we made this a historical season. It would be incredible.
“That’s why we play football and why we play for Arsenal. That’s why everybody comes here to win trophies, to make something special and to make the fans and the club happy. It is something that is really important for us.”
Raya’s praise for Arsenal’s depth
Raya believes Arsenal’s togetherness could be a key factor for the run-in to the season
Arsenal’s last outing saw them secure a thumping 4-0 win over League One Wigan in the FA Cup at the Emirates.
Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all found the net while Eberechi Eze, who has faced criticism for his form so far this season and was withdrawn at half-time in Arsenal’s Premier League draw at Brentford, provided assists for Arsenal’s first two goals against Wigan.
Raya, who wasn’t in the Gunners squad for the FA Cup clash, hopes his side can replicate that free-flowing attacking form against Wolves.
Raya believes confidence will be key in Arsenal’s bid for silverware this season
“For the players that haven’t played that much and players coming from injury, like for Bukayo [Saka], having those minutes [against Wigan] and the way we played, it showed that we are here to win, no matter who you are.
“It just gives us that extra motivation, extra confidence to everyone and especially for players that haven’t been playing that much.
“To get those minutes, to be ready for when they are called upon, like the boss said, it’s credit to everyone that players that have not been playing and performing at that level yesterday is incredible.
“Hopefully we can replicate what we did [against Wigan] at Wolves,” the Spain international added. “We know it’s going to be a tough task.
“They made it very difficult for us at the Emirates so we need to learn from that game. But I think we are a different team now than we were back then. So, hopefully we can do the right things and get the three points, but we know how hard it’s going to be.”
Watch Wolves vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports on Wednesday from 7.30pm; kick off 8pm.
