“We want to become winners, not just a one-off. I think we’re going to have to attack the league again, attack the cups, attack the Champions League because we want more.”
David Raya delivered that verdict to PA Media before the new Premier League season. Arsenal ended a 22-year title wait in May, and their goalkeeper does not intend for the trophy to be a one-off.
Mikel Arteta’s side were crowned Premier League champions on May 19, 2026, after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth left the outgoing champions four points adrift with a game to play. It was Arsenal’s fourth Premier League title, and their first since Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles in 2003/04.
The Champions League ended less kindly. Arsenal reached the final in Budapest, took a sixth-minute lead through Kai Havertz, then were dragged into a shootout after Ousmane Dembélé’s second-half penalty. PSG won 4-3 on spot kicks at the Puskás Arena on May 30 to retain the trophy.
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Guimarães and Konsa in the door
Arteta has backed the ambition with cash. Arsenal signed Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle on August 8 for around £75 million, with the Brazil international committing to a four-year deal that carries an option of a fifth. Twelve days later, England defender Ezri Konsa arrived from Aston Villa in a £51 million move, plus add-ons.
“Ezri coming, adding to the squad, is going to add a lot of competitiveness inside the team, which is incredible,” Raya said of his new teammate.
The Spain international framed the recruitment as an extension of what already worked. He argued Arsenal’s defensive record last season was not just about the back four.
“I think we defensively, not just the defence but I think all the players from the striker to me, have a good defensive willingness,” he told PA Media.
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Raya joins a four-man club
Arsenal’s goalkeeper collected his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove last season with 19 clean sheets in 37 appearances, joining Pepe Reina, Joe Hart and Ederson as the only goalkeepers to have completed the hat-trick in the Premier League era.
“We cannot stop there,” Raya said. “We want to do one more and another one.”
Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Monday, August 31, for their first away fixture of the new campaign, with Konsa in line to face the club he left this month.
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