David Raya insists Arsenal are determined to build a dynasty of success and prove their title was not just a one-off. The Arsenal keeper says the Gunners are targeting even more trophies after winning their first title in 22 years last season.
Gunners keeper Raya even claimed they have got the Champions League in their sights as well as the domestic cups and retaining the Premier League.
Champions League ambition
Spain international Raya, 30, said: "We want to become winners, not just a one-off. I think we’re going to have to attack the league again, attack the cups, attack the Champions League because we want more.
"We want all the trophies, and we are confident that we can beat anybody at any time, so we just have to be focused on ourselves and do better than last season."
Mikel Arteta has already insisted Arsenal are "hungry" for more trophies and that winning mentality has clearly spread to the rest of the dressing room.
PFA recognition and new signings
They have never won the Champions League before and European success is a clear target for Arsenal as they look to enjoy a period of domination beyond last season’s title. Arteta has already delivered a pep talk to his players about winning more - and the players have bought in to their manager’s message.
Raya was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year along with teammates Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel. That was a remarkable achievement to dominate the votes from their fellow pros and Raya says it was a reflection of how strong they were in the Premier League last season.
The Gunners ended their long wait for a title while they also reached the Champions League final where they lost out to French giants Paris Saint Germain.
Title win significance
But Raya says winning the title was hugely important for the club as it will give them extra belief and was also recognition of how good they were.
Raya said: "The season was incredible, collectively and individually. I think we deserved to be there and be champions, so that was the most important thing. Every season is very, very long with ups and downs, but I think we dealt with everything that was thrown at us and it was an incredible season to lift the trophy, to give Arsenal the Premier League after 22 years, so, yeah, an amazing season."
Arsenal have spent big already in the window with Bruno Guimaraes coming in from Newcastle for £75m plus Christos Tzolis. Gunners boss Arteta has also strengthened the meanest defence in the league by bringing in Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth £55m.
Raya said: "I think we defensively – not just the defence but I think all the players from the striker to me – have a good defensive willingness in that way. Of course, Ezri coming, adding to the squad, is going to add a lot of competitiveness inside the team, which is incredible and is really, really good for the whole squad."
Golden Glove hat-trick
Raya won the Golden Glove for a third consecutive season with 19 clean sheets from 37 league appearances. That was Raya’s third successive Golden Glove, with just a trio of fine goalkeepers claiming that same hat-trick in the past, Pepe Reina (2006/08), Joe Hart (2011/13) and Ederson (2020/22).
But Raya paid tribute to his teammates for their contribution to his personal achievement. Arsenal had three of the four defenders make the PFA Team of the Year with Timber, Gabriel and Saliba all getting recognition. Raya has already one clean sheet under his belt this season after the 3-0 win over Coventry and is targeting many more.
He added: "It’s not just me. I’ve always said the same, it’s collective stuff. Obviously I’ve been part of it and it’s the third time consecutively, but we cannot stop there. We want to do one more and another one because that means that it’s easier to win games when you keep those clean sheets, so keep them coming and hopefully more Golden Gloves coming our way."
