Raya relishing fight for Spain’s number one spot

David Raya is relishing the fight for Spain’s number one spot at the World Cup.

Raya has been crucial to Arsenal’s success in recent seasons, and was excellent as the Gunners won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final in 2025-26.

Since he made his Arsenal debut in September 2023, the 30-year-old has kept 48 clean sheets in the Premier League, 12 more than any other player.

Raya registered the seventh-best save percentage in the Premier League last term (69.8%), but despite his fantastic form, he is not seen as Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Unai Simon has been a mainstay under Luis de la Fuente, and was integral to Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024.

The Athletic Club goalkeeper seems set to start for Spain in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on Monday, but Raya is undeterred by the competition for places.

“[We take the debate] with total naturalness,” Raya said.

“There’s always been a lot of competition, with the goalkeepers we have.

“We try to push each other to be better, and make the manager’s job a bit more difficult to choose. We’re here to help each other. Whoever plays the first, second and third games will do the best they can.

“It’s normal that in the media, with Joan and Unai in LaLiga, there’s a debate.

“I have been away [from Spain] for a very long time. I remember the first time I came to the national team, people asked who I was.

“I’m trying to make it hard for the manager to decide.”

Spain are appearing in their 17th World Cup, and their 13th in a row.