Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has said that his wonder save against Aston Villa was not even the best stop of his career.
In the 54th minute, with the score goalless Raya was beaten by a deflected shot that hit the bar and came back out into the field of play, where Villa striker Ollie Watkins was lurking to score. But Raya somehow got off the ground to pull off an incredible stop.
It proved crucial as Arsenal went on to claim a statement 2-0 win against an opponent who beat them twice last season.
But Raya modestly downplayed the significance of his save and thinks he has pulled off better. "Everyone is a hero because we work together," he told Sky Sports. "It's not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances and I was there to save Ollie's header.
"I think of what I remember, it's a shot from outside the box. I'm on the floor so I try to get up and I can't reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible I put my hand there and there's no one there to get the ball.
"It's just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don't think it's my best save.
"I try to help the team as much as possible to win games."
It meant that Arsenal started a season with two wins without conceding for the first time since 1971/72 as the Arsenal defence that helped Raya claim the Golden Glove last season with 16 clean sheets started the campaign in style.
Praise from Arteta
Raya's manager, Mikel Arteta, said how impressed he was with the save describing it as an incredible moment in the match.
"They had the big chance that David [Raya] made an unbelievable save and it is was the magic moment of the game," Arteta said to BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We conceded really little and it's a big credit to the team as it is a difficult place to come, but when we needed him he was there and he made a terrific save.
