The Arsenal goalkeeper is nearly unrecognisable these days but there’s a very good explanation 🧐

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

David Raya has become a top goalkeeper for Arsenal in the Premier League since joining from Brentford.
However, photos of him from a number of years ago show that his appearance looks quite different these days.
Raya suffered a bad injury during his time at Blackburn Rovers which left him needing surgery.
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

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.