3 standout Arsenal players from victory over Newcastle

2. David Raya

Raya saved his season-defining performance for the moment the curtain came down on the home leg of the campaign. He regularly showed off the cat-quick reflexes and ability to control the most challenging moments that earned him the distinction of being Arsenal's undisputed No. 1 in no time at all.

It's almost hard to believe there was a time when putting Raya ahead of a certain Aaron Ramsdale was considered something close to footballing sacrilege. Things have changed a lot since those days, with Raya now arguably the standout stopper in England's top flight, while Ramsdale just suffered relegation with Southampton.

Raya has simply proved to be the more consistent 'keeper, even in his weaker moments. His poor clearance to Tonali set up the chance that ended with Guimaraes arrowing a powerful low drive from close range.

Fortunately, Raya was good enough to save not once, but twice. He got down in an instant to get a strong hand to the initial shot, then clawed the rising ball to safety with his other, free mitt.

This merely proved to be the opening act of Raya's busy and brilliant day. He next denied Harvey Barnes with a fully-stretched palm after a nasty deflection off Thomas Partey took the winger's angled low shot toward the bottom corner.

What followed was even better. Namely, a stronger hand still to parry Dan Burn's header from point-blank range, followed by Raya using his weaker foot to swipe away Sven Botman's snap return shot.

Raya just refused to let go of his 13th clean sheet. One more could give him the Premier League's Golden Glove award for the second year in a row.

Another gong woule be proof Raya is one of the true success stories among Arteta's often muddled transfer dealings. Kiwior has been trying to earn the same distinction.

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