David Raya wins Premier League Save of the Month after Sunderland penalty heroics

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has won the Premier League Save of the Month award for September following his crucial penalty stop against Sunderland. The Spaniard produced the decisive intervention with the score still goalless during Arsenal's 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light on September 12.

Enzo Le Fee stepped up after Ezri Konsa was penalised for holding Dan Ballard, but Raya dived at full stretch to push the Sunderland midfielder's spot-kick onto the post. The importance of the save became even clearer just 121 seconds later when Bruno Guimaraes struck from 25 yards to give Arsenal the lead.

Bukayo Saka subsequently converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure all three points and maintain the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence. Raya's intervention wasselectedas September's best after votes from supporters were combined with those of a panel of football experts.

It is the fourth time the 31-year-old has collected the monthly award, moving him clear of former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Andre Onana, who have three apiece. Only Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has won the award more frequently, with the England international collecting his fifth prize for a save against Crystal Palace in August.

Raya actually accounted for two of the six saves shortlisted for September's prize. His stop during Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium was also nominated, alongside efforts from Dean Henderson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alisson Becker and Bernd Leno.

The Sunderland performance has already earned Raya separate recognition from the Premier League after supporters voted him Player of the Matchweek. He received 26 per cent of that vote, beating Hull City winger Mohamed Belloumi into second place.

Raya also finished the Sunderland match with a clean sheet, adding to what had been an excellent start to Arsenal's title defence. The goalkeeper's latest individual recognition continues a remarkable turnaround since initially joining Arsenal on loan from Brentford in 2023.

He subsequently displaced Ramsdale as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's first-choice goalkeeper before completing a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium. Raya has since established himself as an integral part of Arsenal's defensive structure, with his distribution and command of the penalty area complementing his shot-stopping ability.

His latest award, however, came from a more traditional piece of goalkeeping. With Arsenal under pressure and facing the prospect of falling behind, Raya's penalty save changed the complexion of the Sunderland contest and helped the champions secure another important victory.