Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has declared that goalkeeper David Raya's spectacular late save could be the moment that wins the Gunners the Premier League title this season.
The Decisive Moment at the Emirates
The pivotal incident occurred during Arsenal's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. With the hosts leading thanks to an early strike from captain Martin Odegaard and a Brighton own goal from Georginio Rutter, the Seagulls fought back through Diego Gomez in the 63rd minute.
The match was on a knife-edge when, late on, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh found space and unleashed a curling shot destined for the top corner after an exquisite flick from Rutter. David Raya produced an acrobatic, full-stretch dive to his right to fingertip the ball over the bar, preserving Arsenal's slender lead and securing three crucial points.
Merson and Shearer Hail 'Save of the Season'
Analysing the match for Sky Sports, Paul Merson was unequivocal about the save's significance. "If Arsenal go on and win the title, we will have to go back to the Raya save," Merson stated. "It was off the charts. Nine times out of ten, that's a goal. That's massive for me. A massive, massive save."
Premier League legend Alan Shearer echoed the sentiment on BBC's Match of the Day, calling it a potential save of the season. "We are about to see one of, if not the save of the season. This is an unbelievable save," the ex-England striker said, praising the technique and importance of the stop.
Arteta's Praise and Title Implications
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who had a perfect view of the incident, singled out his compatriot for special praise. "It was sensational. I had a great angle on it," Arteta told BBC Sport. "That's what we need from players, we need those performances in the key moments."
The victory kept Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, applying pressure to their rivals. Merson also noted the impact of substitute Gabriel Jesus in calming the game, contrasting it with the more frantic style of Viktor Gyokeres. The win underscored the blend of resilience and individual brilliance that could define Arsenal's title challenge, with Raya's moment of magic at its heart.
