If Arsenal go on to be Premier League champions, their 2025-26 highlights reel will undoubtedly include David Raya’s spectacular save from Yankuba Minteh.

After Brighton & Hove Albion had halved Arsenal’s lead to 2-1, Minteh sent a curling left-foot shot towards the far top corner. Raya sprang high to flick the ball over the crossbar with his fully extended right hand.

Brighton midfielder Mats Wieffer threw his hands to his head in disbelief. Minteh stopped dead in shock. Martin Zubimendi raised his arms almost as if to bow to Raya, then embraced his compatriot in a hug.

That stunning save, up there with the very best in this season’s Premier League, was the difference between one point and three —  between reassuming their lead over Manchester City, or trailing Pep Guardiola’s team on goal difference.

In a moment when Arsenal had to rely on their goalkeeper, Raya delivered. It was a match-winning moment from the 30-year-old, protecting an important victory.

But should it have been needed? This match was far closer than it ought to have been. Despite creating a series of presentable chances, Arsenal lacked the clinical finishing required to see off the game.

David Raya and manager Mikel Arteta (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

That meant it could be decided by one moment. Fortunately, when that moment arrived, Raya was equal to it.

“Very happy with the performance, individually and collectively so dominant, we were a big threat, so very pleased with all of that,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta summarised.

“But the margin should have been much bigger, The number of situations, chances, open chances that we generated through the game, it should never be 2-1, but that’s the Premier League.

“The first shot that they had, they scored the goal and then David (Raya) had to make another save to maintain the result.”

Arteta is correct in his assertion that Arsenal should have had the game wrapped up. His team outshot Brighton by 24 to eight, reflected in the goal probability graphic below, which uses a variety of metrics, including expected goals (xG).

Viktor Gyokeres set the tone by missing a great chance in the second minute of the game. Over the full 90 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus also spurned promising opportunities.

Arsenal’s profligacy kept Brighton in the game. When Diego Gomez halved their lead, there was a palpable tension on the pitch and in the stands. Arsenal fell into the same patterns they had shown against Wolves and Crystal Palace, surrendering territory and inviting pressure.