David Raya wins Premier League award after decisive Arsenal display
David Raya has been named the Premier League Player of the Matchweek following his decisive performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
The Arsenal goalkeeper topped the Premier League‘s fan vote for Matchweek 4 after helping the champions maintain their perfect start to their title defence.
Raya was one of eight players shortlisted for the award alongside Elliot Anderson, Mohamed Belloumi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leif Davis, Pascal Gross, Joao Pedro and Kevin Schade.
However, the Spaniard’s contribution at the Stadium of Light proved enough for him to take the prize after another influential display between the posts.
His defining moment arrived early in the second half when Sunderland were controversially awarded a penalty for Ezri Konsa’s challenge on Daniel Ballard.
Enzo Le Fee stepped up with an opportunity to put the hosts ahead, but Raya anticipated his effort and produced an excellent low save to his left.
The importance of the stop became even clearer just 121 seconds later.
Half-time substitute Bruno Guimaraes collected possession outside the penalty area and curled a superb effort into the top corner to register his first Arsenal goal.
Raya was required again as Sunderland continued to push for an equaliser, with the hosts ensuring Arsenal had to work considerably harder for the points than the final scoreline suggested.
Bukayo Saka eventually removed any remaining doubt by converting a stoppage-time penalty after Reinildo Mandava brought him down and received his second yellow card.
The clean sheet was Raya’s third in Arsenal’s opening four Premier League matches, with Chelsea the only side to score against Arsenal in the competition this season.
Arsenal have conceded just once in those four games, giving Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s team the best defensive record in the division at this early stage of the campaign.
Raya’s latest recognition also follows another outstanding individual season in 2025/26, when he claimed the Premier League Golden Glove for a third successive year.
His award means Arsenal players have now been named Player of the Matchweek in consecutive rounds.
Captain Martin Odegaard claimed the Matchweek 3 prize following his match-winning performance in the 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Raya has now followed his captain onto the honours list after playing a crucial role in ensuring Arsenal left one of their toughest early-season assignments with their winning record intact.
The post David Raya wins Premier League award after decisive Arsenal display first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.