David Raya has already established himself as one of Arsenal's most important goalkeepers of the modern era. He's won the Premier League golden glove three seasons in a row since joining Arsenal. Since becoming the club's first-choice goalkeeper, the Spaniard has brought consistency, composure and an exceptional ability to play from the back, becoming an integral part of Mikel Arteta's footballing philosophy.
Yet when the conversation shifts from Arsenal's best goalkeepers today to the greatest goalkeepers in the club's history, Raya still has some distance to travel.
That is not necessarily a criticism of his performances. Rather, Arsenal's history is filled with goalkeepers whose importance went far beyond clean sheets, trophies and appearances. They became symbols of particular eras, connected deeply with supporters and helped shape the identity and culture of the club.
For that reason, Raya currently sits fifth among Arsenal's greatest goalkeepers in our opinion, behind four legendary figures who left an extraordinary mark on the Gunners.
David Seaman: The standard Raya is chasing
If Arsenal supporters were asked to picture the quintessential Arsenal goalkeeper, David Seaman would arguably be the first name that comes to mind.
Seaman spent 13 years at Arsenal between 1990 and 2003, making an incredible 564 appearances and becoming one of the defining players of the club's most successful period. He won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, while also producing countless memorable saves.
His sporting achievements alone make his case extremely strong, but Seaman's impact was considerably greater than his trophy cabinet.
He represented stability during a transformative period for Arsenal. Supporters knew what they were getting whenever Seaman stood between the posts: authority, reliability and an enormous presence. His famous ponytail and calm personality also made him instantly recognisable, turning him into one of the most beloved figures of the era.
For many Arsenal fans, Seaman was not simply another goalkeeper. His performances helped define the club's character during the transition from George Graham's era into Arsène Wenger's revolution.
That emotional connection is something Raya will ultimately have to build over a much longer Arsenal career.
Jens Lehmann: The goalkeeper of the Invincibles
Jens Lehmann's Arsenal career was shorter than Seaman's, but his cultural impact was enormous.
Arriving in 2003, Lehmann immediately became the goalkeeper for one of the greatest teams English football has ever seen. He played every league match during Arsenal's historic 2003–04 Invincibles campaign, helping the Gunners complete an entire Premier League season without defeat.
He also won the FA Cup and set an extraordinary 853-minute clean-sheet record during the Invincibles season.
But Lehmann was about more than statistics.
His personality became inseparable from that Arsenal team. He was fiery, competitive and occasionally unpredictable, yet those qualities made him a perfect character for a side that demanded an extraordinary mentality. His relationship with the supporters was built around that intensity.
Lehmann also occupies a unique place in Arsenal folklore because he was the man behind the last line of defence of the Invincibles. Every time Arsenal supporters celebrate that unbeaten campaign, Lehmann's name is inevitably part of the story.
Raya may currently offer greater comfort with the ball at his feet, but Lehmann's contribution to Arsenal history is difficult to match.
Jack Kelsey: A symbol of an earlier Arsenal
Long before the Premier League era, Jack Kelsey established himself as one of Arsenal's most important goalkeepers.
Kelsey spent his entire senior career with the club between 1949 and 1962, making 352 appearances and playing a major role in Arsenal's 1953 First Division title triumph.
His importance cannot be measured purely through modern statistics. Kelsey belonged to a different era of football, when goalkeepers carried an entirely different responsibility and the relationship between players and supporters was often far more personal.
He became a dependable figure for Arsenal through the post-war period, representing the resilience and traditional values of the club.
For supporters of that generation, Kelsey was part of what Arsenal meant. He was not merely someone occupying the position between the posts; he was a long-serving servant who embodied loyalty at a time when players could become deeply connected with a club and its community.
That longevity and emotional connection give Kelsey an important place in Arsenal's history.
Bob Wilson: More than just a goalkeeper
Bob Wilson's Arsenal legacy is perhaps the clearest example of why this ranking cannot simply be decided by trophies or statistics.
Wilson played for Arsenal from 1963 to 1974, making his mark during one of the club's most memorable periods. He was the goalkeeper when Arsenal won the 1971 League and FA Cup Double, a landmark achievement that remains one of the greatest accomplishments in the club's history.
However, Wilson's importance to Arsenal extended far beyond his playing career.
He became deeply embedded in the wider Arsenal community and remained a hugely respected figure among supporters long after retiring. His intelligence, personality and commitment to the club helped transform him from a former player into an important part of Arsenal's cultural fabric.
That lasting connection matters when discussing greatness.
A goalkeeper can make hundreds of saves, win trophies and break records, but becoming part of a club's identity is something altogether different. Wilson achieved that, making his Arsenal legacy much larger than what happened during his time on the pitch.
So, where does David Raya rank?
That leaves David Raya in fifth place for now.
It is important to stress that this ranking is not an argument that Raya has been inferior to these legends as a goalkeeper. In several areas, particularly distribution, ball-playing ability and his role within a modern possession-based system, Raya has brought qualities that Arsenal goalkeepers of previous generations were never expected to provide.
His importance to Arteta's Arsenal is already undeniable.
The difference is legacy.
Seaman, Lehmann, Kelsey and Wilson accumulated not only sporting achievements but decades of memories, emotional connections and cultural significance. They became representatives of different chapters in Arsenal's story.
Raya is still writing this.
And that is the most exciting part.
If Raya continues to remain at Arsenal for years to come, and, hopefully for Gunners supporters, does not eventually leave for Real Madrid or Barcelona especially because he is Spanish, there is every reason to believe that his position in this ranking can change dramatically.
If he continues producing the consistency, performances and reliability he has shown throughout his Arsenal career, while adding major trophies and more memorable moments, he could eventually move past these legends.
By the time his Arsenal career is over, there is absolutely no doubt that Raya could have a genuine case for first or second place.
For now, fifth feels fair.
But unlike the four legends above him, Raya's Arsenal story is still being written.