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The Premier League changed its goalkeeping strategy this summer.

Ball-playing goalkeepers have been a mainstay for the past few years, but this summer saw some shifts to taller, less athletic shot-stoppers.

At Manchester United, Senne Lammens replaced Andre Onana at 6’4″, while Sunderland signed Robin Roefs (6′ 4ins), and Ederson at 6′ 5″.

Premier League leaders Arsenal haven’t followed this trend, as David Raya, a 6′ tall pass-first keeper, has remained their top scorer since moving to Brentford from Blackburn in 2019 to stay there.

The 30-year-old Spaniard, who has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the past two seasons, has been excellent in his debut season, scoring just 10 goals to take the team to the top.

Raya was cited earlier this year as “the most attacking goalkeeper in the Premier League, by far,” and he consistently displays his forehand when Arsenal launch attacks.

Teams typically aim for either of two goals when they excel.

They either aim to press in a man-to-man way, hoping to get the ball back high up the pitch, or they are trying to force their opponents into uncomfortable areas of the field, frequently toward the flanks, hoping they clear the ball.

The Premier League strugglers pressed Arsenal high with attackers curving their runs in an effort to force a particular side to pass in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wolves.

Most keepers simply pass the ball in the direction that their opponents are encouraging them to play into, with the risk of losing the ball in these situations.

Raya can read the situation, be brave, and take an unconventional approach thanks to his on-ball qualities.

When faced with this kind of pressure, Raya would pass the ball to one of her team’s teammates on the side with less room, avoiding Wolves’ press, who had anticipated the ball to be played into the spaces they had left open.

Man-to-man pressing is a typical defensive tactic to prevent the attacking team from having an extra player on the field.

However, it can be exploited when the attacking team employs their goalkeeper as one of their eleventh players in place of their 10 outfield players.

Chelsea used a man-to-man press against Arsenal this season, but Raya’s involvement stifled its effectiveness by shifting into a centre-back position.

With the knowledge that Raya could pick a pass, Chelsea had to choose between applying pressure on him and letting him leave an outfielder free.

Raya’s on-field skill is obvious, but trying to build out from the back is risky under the pressure of man-to-man pressure.

Raya, who frequently acts as the spare man, also has the responsibility of deciding which strategy is best when and how often.

In this Champions League game, Bayern Munich engaged an intense man-to-man press against Arsenal.

Arsenal recognized this and made room available by introducing clever rotations that led to unfamiliar positions for Bayern’s players.

Bayern’s defenders were drawn out of the back line by Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze as their movements were wider and deeper before Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli pushed up into the midfield and the previously vacated attacking spaces.

Prior to the rotations, Raya played pin-point long passes to team-mates high up in the pitch, which was a key component of their success on the night.

The importance of playing the pass at the right moment was that it prevented Arsenal from attempting mismatches at a high pitch.

We have established that Raya’s outstanding qualities extend beyond pressing techniques used by teams, but they also extend beyond that.

Only David Raya (105) and Emiliano Martinez (102) have won more league crosses since 2023). He relies instead on his positioning, timing, and aggression to put up comparable numbers because he lacks the size advantage that the Villa keeper does.

With his consistent claim crosses, Raya’s ability to calm Arsenal’s team and prevent Mikel Arteta from tying up players like William Saliba and Gabriel at corners creates a sense of calm.

Aaron Ramsdale was the team’s number one when he was the keeper, but Aaron Ramsdale’s requires less direct protection.

Arsenal can win aerial duels more frequently, especially when the cross swings away from goal, because of the physically intimidating Gabriel being closer to the opposing players in the middle of the box.

Given Arsenal’s defensive performance this season, it’s intriguing that Raya’s influence has been the main topic of this piece’s so far, besides his shot-stopping.

The least conceded by Arsenal in its 16 games, Raya has the eighth-cleanest record for clean sheets with 10 goals, which is the lowest total in the Premier League.

You could assume that Raya’s explosiveness is a reflection of his impressive on-the-ball skill.

However, according to the data, Raya has allowed 1.42 goals more than anticipated at this point in the season.

Does Raya’s performance as a keeper reflect how effective she is?

In a one-time game, elite shot-stoppers frequently determine a team’s ability to win or lose.

Arteta spoke about Donnarumma’s heroics for the French champions following Arsenal’s Champions League defeat by Paris-St Germain last season.

If two of our front players, one against one, play Donnarumma, each other, will have a different score, according to the Spaniard.

The difference in the Champions League is that he made the saves against Liverpool and Villa, which he did against Villa.

Despite Raya not having this particular quality, Arsenal are able to maintain impressive numbers thanks to their defensive structure and level of control over their play.

With fewer possessions and fewer turnovers, Raya’s ability to keep the ball and help Arsenal develop attacks reduces their chances of attacking themselves.

His ability to claim high balls from set pieces and crosses prevents attacks from being stopped before shots are fired, something that won’t appear in the goals prevented data.

Raya accurately swept 64 times between the years of 2023 and 2024, which is impressive.

Only Robert Sanchez (67) and Jordan Pickford (75) have more in this time, which shows how proactive the Arsenal keeper is in stopping attacks before through balls can be snatched up.

The Premier League changed its goalkeeping strategy this summer.

Ball-playing goalkeepers have been a mainstay for the past few years, but this summer saw some shifts to taller, less athletic shot-stoppers.

At Manchester United, Senne Lammens replaced Andre Onana at 6’4″, while Sunderland signed Robin Roefs (6′ 4ins), and Ederson at 6′ 5″.

Premier League leaders Arsenal haven’t followed this trend, as David Raya, a 6′ tall pass-first keeper, has remained their top scorer since moving to Brentford from Blackburn in 2019 to stay there.

The 30-year-old Spaniard, who has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the past two seasons, has been excellent in his debut season, scoring just 10 goals to take the team to the top.

Raya was cited earlier this year as “the most attacking goalkeeper in the Premier League, by far,” and he consistently displays his forehand when Arsenal launch attacks.

Teams typically aim for either of two goals when they excel.

They either aim to press in a man-to-man way, hoping to get the ball back high up the pitch, or they are trying to force their opponents into uncomfortable areas of the field, frequently toward the flanks, hoping they clear the ball.

The Premier League strugglers pressed Arsenal high with attackers curving their runs in an effort to force a particular side to pass in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wolves.

Most keepers simply pass the ball in the direction that their opponents are encouraging them to play into, with the risk of losing the ball in these situations.

Raya can read the situation, be brave, and take an unconventional approach thanks to his on-ball qualities.

When faced with this kind of pressure, Raya would pass the ball to one of her team’s teammates on the side with less room, avoiding Wolves’ press, who had anticipated the ball to be played into the spaces they had left open.

Man-to-man pressing is a typical defensive tactic to prevent the attacking team from having an extra player on the field.

However, it can be exploited when the attacking team employs their goalkeeper as one of their eleventh players in place of their 10 outfield players.

Chelsea used a man-to-man press against Arsenal this season, but Raya’s involvement stifled its effectiveness by shifting into a centre-back position.

With the knowledge that Raya could pick a pass, Chelsea had to choose between applying pressure on him and letting him leave an outfielder free.

Raya’s on-field skill is obvious, but trying to build out from the back is risky under the pressure of man-to-man pressure.

Raya, who frequently acts as the spare man, also has the responsibility of deciding which strategy is best when and how often.

In this Champions League game, Bayern Munich engaged an intense man-to-man press against Arsenal.

Arsenal recognized this and made room available by introducing clever rotations that led to unfamiliar positions for Bayern’s players.

Bayern’s defenders were drawn out of the back line by Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze as their movements were wider and deeper before Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli pushed up into the midfield and the previously vacated attacking spaces.

Prior to the rotations, Raya played pin-point long passes to team-mates high up in the pitch, which was a key component of their success on the night.

The importance of playing the pass at the right moment was that it prevented Arsenal from attempting mismatches at a high pitch.

We have established that Raya’s outstanding qualities extend beyond pressing techniques used by teams, but they also extend beyond that.

Only David Raya (105) and Emiliano Martinez (102) have won more league crosses since 2023). He relies instead on his positioning, timing, and aggression to put up comparable numbers because he lacks the size advantage that the Villa keeper does.

With his consistent claim crosses, Raya’s ability to calm Arsenal’s team and prevent Mikel Arteta from tying up players like William Saliba and Gabriel at corners creates a sense of calm.

Aaron Ramsdale was the team’s number one when he was the keeper, but Aaron Ramsdale’s requires less direct protection.

Arsenal can win aerial duels more frequently, especially when the cross swings away from goal, because of the physically intimidating Gabriel being closer to the opposing players in the middle of the box.

Given Arsenal’s defensive performance this season, it’s intriguing that Raya’s influence has been the main topic of this piece’s so far, besides his shot-stopping.

The least conceded by Arsenal in its 16 games, Raya has the eighth-cleanest record for clean sheets with 10 goals, which is the lowest total in the Premier League.

You could assume that Raya’s explosiveness is a reflection of his impressive on-the-ball skill.

However, according to the data, Raya has allowed 1.42 goals more than anticipated at this point in the season.

Does Raya’s performance as a keeper reflect how effective she is?

In a one-time game, elite shot-stoppers frequently determine a team’s ability to win or lose.

Arteta spoke about Donnarumma’s heroics for the French champions following Arsenal’s Champions League defeat by Paris-St Germain last season.

If two of our front players, one against one, play Donnarumma, each other, will have a different score, according to the Spaniard.

The difference in the Champions League is that he made the saves against Liverpool and Villa, which he did against Villa.

Despite Raya not having this particular quality, Arsenal are able to maintain impressive numbers thanks to their defensive structure and level of control over their play.

With fewer possessions and fewer turnovers, Raya’s ability to keep the ball and help Arsenal develop attacks reduces their chances of attacking themselves.

His ability to claim high balls from set pieces and crosses prevents attacks from being stopped before shots are fired, something that won’t appear in the goals prevented data.

Raya accurately swept 64 times between the years of 2023 and 2024, which is impressive.

Only Robert Sanchez (67) and Jordan Pickford (75) have more in this time, which shows how proactive the Arsenal keeper is in stopping attacks before through balls can be snatched up.

Lennox Lewis, the ex-world heavyweight champion, claimed Jake Paul “wasn’t in good shape” for his fight with Anthony Joshua.

Paul, a novice boxer, was halted by the British heavyweight when he couldn’t get past the sixth round.

According to Lewis, “Paul wasn’t in good shape, especially for a big heavyweight like that.”

He was essentially waiting to be hit after a few rounds, according to the report.

The three-time world champion believed Joshua’s 15-month absence from the ring was the cause of his failure to stop the YouTuber-turned-boxer earlier.

Since losing to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, Paul had his first competitive game against him.

It showed when Anthony declared that he had been out for 15 months, Lewis continued.

Before he threw those punches, he “needed a few rounds to warm up and get used to the ring once more.”

He carried out his obligations. He had to catch up with the guy in front of him who was running around the ring.

Andre Ward, a former super middleweight champion, was less critical of Paul’s initial performance.

“Ward said, “When Paul got tired he panicked. That indicates fatigue. Because Joshua was already enjoying some decent success, he was given a little help from him.

Although Paul received some respect from the boxing world, Sam Jones, the boxing manager, claimed on X that the spectacle was “horrendous.”

Among those who praised the American was Chris Eubank Jr.

Regardless of the outcome, Jake Paul, a former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, worked hard until the very end, Eubank wrote on X.

You must now respect him, he says. He persevered despite what the majority of people would never accomplish.

David Haye, a former world heavyweight champion, and Paul should be respected for surviving six rounds.

Joseph is attempting to be “somewhat too hard.” Haye said in the beginning that winning is not about winning, but rather how he wins.

Lennox Lewis, the ex-world heavyweight champion, claimed Jake Paul “wasn’t in good shape” for his fight with Anthony Joshua.

Paul, a novice boxer, was halted by the British heavyweight when he couldn’t get past the sixth round.

According to Lewis, “Paul wasn’t in good shape, especially for a big heavyweight like that.”

He was essentially waiting to be hit after a few rounds, according to the report.

The three-time world champion believed Joshua’s 15-month absence from the ring was the cause of his failure to stop the YouTuber-turned-boxer earlier.

Since losing to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, Paul had his first competitive game against him.

It showed when Anthony declared that he had been out for 15 months, Lewis continued.

Before he threw those punches, he “needed a few rounds to warm up and get used to the ring once more.”

He carried out his obligations. He had to catch up with the guy in front of him who was running around the ring.

Andre Ward, a former super middleweight champion, was less critical of Paul’s initial performance.

“Ward said, “When Paul got tired he panicked. That indicates fatigue. Because Joshua was already enjoying some decent success, he was given a little help from him.

Although Paul received some respect from the boxing world, Sam Jones, the boxing manager, claimed on X that the spectacle was “horrendous.”

Among those who praised the American was Chris Eubank Jr.

Regardless of the outcome, Jake Paul, a former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, worked hard until the very end, Eubank wrote on X.

You must now respect him, he says. He persevered despite what the majority of people would never accomplish.

David Haye, a former world heavyweight champion, and Paul should be respected for surviving six rounds.

Joseph is attempting to be “somewhat too hard.” Haye said in the beginning that winning is not about winning, but rather how he wins.

Adelaide Oval, day four of the fifth Ashes Test.

Australia 371: Carey 106, Archer 5-53 &amp, 349: Head 170, Tongue 4-70

England 286: Stokes 83, Boland 3-45 &amp, 207-6: Crawley 85, Cummins 3-24

Australia must take four wickets to keep the Ashes.

After Australia’s Nathan Lyon broke their resistance late in the fourth day of the third Test in Adelaide, England are on the verge of losing the series to the Ashes.

In order to move the home side within touching distance of the urn, off-spinner Lyon removed a Harry Brook that had reversed, bowled Ben Stokes, and, crucially, had Zak Crawley bowled.

Crawley put together an impressive 85, but England were 194-6 in search of a 435-point target when he was seduced by a delirious Lyon.

After three Tests, Australia will need four more wickets to win the Ashes, retain the Ashes, and defeat England for the fourth time in a row on Sunday.

England lost three wickets for 17 runs in six overs as a result of Lyon’s intervention after the visitors finally showed a willingness to change their Bazball tactics.

It was a recognition of the situation and the realization that some players, including those in Crawley, are battling for both their reputations and futures.

The tourists took the final six wickets of Australia for 38 runs in their second innings after Stokes’ return with seven overs from the start of play.

Alex Carey scored 72 and Travis Head scored 170. Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue both had 4-70 and 3-80 apiece.

When Ben Duckett was absent in England’s first over, a four-day victory appeared likely, and Ollie Pope, who fell for 17 against, is in serious danger of being dropped for the fourth Test.

Is England’s behavior on this fourth day in Adelaide a positive sign that their previous overaggression was intentional, or a disconcerting admission that they were always capable of doing so?

And they eventually succumbed to the relentless Australians, even when England were using a traditional method of Test batting.

The opener has a 29th series highest score, which is alarming given Duckett’s collapse in form.

The Pope may not have had the benefit of Marnus Labuschagne’s breathtaking one-handed catch on second slip, but this was yet another Australia lull.

Pope has pitched 16 innings in the Ashes and is an average of 17.62. Only Dennis Amiss, a fellow English player since 1900, has recorded as many Ashes knocks in the top six and had a lower average.

Before Brook was bowled, Crawley, Joe Root, and Brook had all been successful using the reverse-sweep against Lyon. Despite the stroke’s logic, the result looked ugly and the consequences were worse.

Showman Lyon had the eager crowd in his palm as the total number of spectators for the Test exceeded 200 000, which was a record for the Adelaide Oval.

Numerous England players are vying to win the series, let alone play a part in the rebuilding after the Olympics. Crawley has engaged himself in conversation about the future of England, a subject that is frequently the subject of scrutiny at the top of the list.

The smart money was on a capitulation for England, but Crawley delivered the grittiest knock of his 62-Test career at 31-2.

The Kent man increased the number to 78 with Brook and then 68 with Root. He effectively defended and left. His Test century was his second-slowest, with 102 balls he took to pass 50.

No other bowler has ever dismissed a Yorkshireman as frequently as Pat Cummins, who had Root caught behind for a crucial spell after tea. Root was then caught behind for the 13th time the Australia captain had done so in Test cricket. As he flew for 39, Root screamed in disbelief.

Brook backed up his watchful 45 with a careful 30 from 56 balls in the first innings, barring a scoop attempt at Scott Boland. Despite the validity of the shot, the dismissal is sure to stifle criticism until Brook’s gift.

England could have faced two sessions on the field as Australia resumed with a score of 271-4 while the home side would have piled on runs at will. Instead, the tourists’ early Saturday fight was commendable.

When Stokes failed to bowl on the third day, the captain took the ball right away on the fourth morning, there were health concerns.

Stokes was fast, but Carse gave up 26 runs from three overs and gave way to Tongue, who drew Head to a miscue from Crawley at a deep square leg.

England won the second new ball after Stokes let Carey slip into a cunning leg-slip trap and Tongue tapped Josh Inglis for the edge.