David Raya Challenges Arsenal to Build Champions League Legacy After Ending 22-Year Premier League Wait

David Raya, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, has made it clear that the club aims to establish a lasting legacy in European football following their first Premier League title in 22 years. The Spaniard stressed that the Gunners are eager for even more major trophies after breaking their long domestic title drought.

Arsenal Sets Sights on European Dominance

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s squad wants this Premier League victory to be the start of a sustained period of success rather than a one-off. Having ended more than two decades without a league title, the north London team now looks to make an impact in Europe.

Last season, Arsenal reached the Champions League final but fell short against Paris Saint-Germain. That defeat only strengthened their resolve to claim the club’s first-ever European Cup and to fiercely defend their domestic crown.

Raya Stresses Arsenal’s Hunger for More Silverware

"We want to become winners, not just a one-off," Raya said. "I think we’re going to have to attack the league again, attack the cups, attack the Champions League because we want more."

The goalkeeper expressed strong confidence in the team’s current potential, adding, "We want all the trophies, and we are confident that we can beat anybody at any time, so we just have to be focused on ourselves and do better than last season."

Strong Defensive Reinforcements Bolster Arsenal's Squad

Arsenal’s stellar season saw five players named to the PFA Team of the Year: Raya, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes. Reflecting on their collective effort, Raya said, "The season was incredible, collectively and individually. I think we deserved to be champions, and that was the most important thing."

He added, "Every season is very long with ups and downs, but we handled everything that came our way. Lifting the trophy after 22 years was an amazing achievement."

To keep the momentum, Arsenal made significant signings, including Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75 million plus Christos Tzolis, and Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £55 million. Raya welcomed these additions, saying, "Ezri coming in adds a lot of competitiveness inside the team, which is really good for the whole squad."

Strong Start to Title Defense

Arsenal began their campaign impressively, beating Coventry 3-0 and securing Raya’s first clean sheet of the new season. After winning his third consecutive Golden Glove last term with 19 shutouts, Raya aims to extend that streak alongside elite keepers like Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson.

"It’s not just me," Raya remarked. "It’s a collective effort. This is my third consecutive Golden Glove, but we cannot stop here. We want to keep winning more because clean sheets make it easier to win games."

With key domestic and European fixtures ahead, integrating high-profile signings like Guimaraes and Konsa quickly will be critical as Arsenal attempt to maintain their Premier League title while pushing hard in the Champions League.

• Premier League Fixture: Aston Villa (AVL) vs Arsenal (ARS)
• Date & Time: 31 August 2026, 21:00