Why David Raya’s Appearance is so Different Compared to 2018

David Raya has turned out to be a shrewd piece of business for Arsenal. Having initially signed on a season-long loan, the Spaniard joined the club permanently in the 2024 summer transfer window after an impressive debut term at the Emirates.

Having been a key component in 2023/24, where he kept 20 clean sheets in 41 appearances, one can hardly blame Mikel Arteta for being desperate to keep the shot-stopper. But despite being one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, things were not always going too well for Raya.

In fact, the goalkeeper’s career could’ve looked very different if he didn’t have the mental strength to overcome a horrific injury that he suffered during his time at Blackburn Rovers. It was so bad, in fact, that his appearance now looks quite different.

Raya’s Facial Injury at Blackburn

The goalkeeper required reconstructive surgery

For those who have been following Raya’s career for a long time, they would likely have noticed the change in the Spaniard’s appearance. This is due to an incident that took place in 2018 as former Premier League winners Blackburn took on West Bromwich Albion.

During the game, which finished 1-1, the shot-stopper collided with striker Jay Rodriguez and ended up with a broken nose as a result. The injury was so gruesome that many of those on the field couldn’t bear to look. Due to the severity of the injury, Raya had to receive oxygen from an oxygen mask and was immediately transported to a hospital.

As per the Daily Mail, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray revealed at full-time just how bad the injury was in explicit detail:

Rodriguez, who is known for spells at Burnley and Southampton, was left feeling incredibly guilty about his part in proceedings despite it being completely accidental. He stated:

“It’s not nice to see. I was chasing the ball, I tried to get out of the way, but I’ve caught him with the top of my foot. I’ve been told he’s gone to hospital and I’m gutted about that.”

Incredibly, Raya was not ruled out for a significant period of time. The Catalan native was forced to wear a protective mask upon his return, but was able to avoid any reconstructive surgery until the end of the season.

Although he initially feared the worst, the Spain international was undeterred and admitted to having zero intentions of letting it impact his style of goalkeeping. He told the Lancashire Telegraph:

Raya opted to put off his surgery due to the fact that had he chosen to have it immediately after the injury occurred, he would’ve missed up to eight weeks of action. Not wanting to be unavailable for such a prolonged period, the former Brentford man showed commendable courage in returning between the sticks within two weeks of the accident. It is this type of character that has helped establish him as Arteta’s number one in north London.

Raya’s Career so Far

Arsenal star has gone from the non-league to the Premier League

While now one of the English top flight’s finest goalkeepers, and indeed one of the best in the world, Raya’s journey to the Premier League has been an arduous one. Before he was a permanent fixture for Blackburn, the Spaniard was playing non-league football for Southport United in 2014.

The loan move gave him much needed experience, with his manager at the time, Gary Brabin, stating that initial concerns about his inexperience were quickly alleviated as soon as he got a taste of senior football.

Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, representing both Brentford and Arsenal in the Premier League. To overcome such a horrible injury and reach those heights is a testament to his determination to reach the top, something which will stand him in good stead in the coming years.