"Hopefully, it continues like this" – Theo Walcott heaps praise on 29-year-old star who now feels 'at home' with Arsenal

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has lavished praise on David Raya following his stellar display in his club's recent 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester City.

Raya, who registered nine saves against City earlier this weekend, has opened the 2024-25 season on a good note. The 29-year-old, who arrived in a £27 million deal from Brentford earlier this July, has kept four clean sheets in six matches across all competitions this season.

Walcott, who represented Arsenal a whopping 397 times as a player, hailed the ex-Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper's recent run of great form in a recent interaction. He said (h/t Football365):

"He's now got a home. As a player, it is important when you find your home and have a good environment around you and good positive people around you, it feeds into you, and you feel like you can't do anything wrong. Hopefully, it continues like this."

Opining on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta's help to Raya, he commented:

"When you see keepers make a mistake, you are like: 'Ugh', because if a striker makes that mistake, people do not say anything. A mistake by a goalkeeper is obviously magnified. He's got a great defence around him as well, but he commands that defence, and he expects standards. Again, that is fed through Mikel and the trust he's put in [the Spaniard] now as well."

Sharing more thoughts on the UEFA Euro 2024 winner, Walcott added:

"I think it's really fascinating to see. He's really matured as well, he seems a lot calmer, and I think when you have a calm keeper, it just settles everyone in the whole team. He's in a good space right now and I think he's one of the best in the business now in the world. That's for sure."

So far, the eight-cap Spain international has recorded 24 shutouts and shipped just 34 goals in 47 games across all competitions for Arsenal.

Arsenal star attracts interest from 3 clubs

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal could decide to offload Takehiro Tomiyasu in the upcoming winter transfer window. Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan are keen to sign the 25-year-old Japan international.

Tomiyasu, who left Bologna for £16 million in 2021, is considered below Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber in his team's pecking order now.

Overall, the right-footed versatile defender has bagged two goals and laid out six assists in 83 overall appearances for Mikel Arteta's outfit.