David Raya: Winning the Premier League has given Arsenal extra belief

Arsenal continued their flawless opening to the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, making it three victories from three matches in their title defence. Goalkeeper David Raya said that winning the league last season brought a sense of relief that has translated into greater confidence on the pitch. Mikel Arteta's side have collected nine points out of nine and are playing with a freedom that was missing during the tense final stretch of the previous campaign.

• Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 with goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard after falling behind after 77 seconds.
• David Raya says winning the Premier League has given the squad relief and extra confidence to face any opponent.
• Arteta's team have a perfect record in the Premier League and also beat Manchester City in the Community Shield.
• Raya made a crucial late save to deny Chelsea substitute Estêvão and protect the win.

How relief became confidence for Arsenal's title defence

Raya did not hide the psychological weight of ending a 20-year wait for a Premier League title. The triumph came after three consecutive second-place finishes and a closing stretch of last season in which Arsenal played under enormous pressure and expectation. The goalkeeper explained that clearing that hurdle has allowed the team to loosen up and believe even more in their style of play.

Winning the league after that many years, and after those years when you are so close, gives you that relief and that extra confidence. Coming from the three games this season, especially the Community Shield, beating City and the way we played against them, that gives you extra motivation and extra confidence to play the way we want to play.

Arsenal have started the campaign with a very recognizable version of themselves: collective intensity, physical superiority and the creativity that shone again against Chelsea. Havertz and Ødegaard carried the attacking weight with their goals and most of the inspired moments, but Raya wanted to highlight the team's overall response after conceding so early.

Responding to Morgan Rogers' early goal

The match could not have started worse for the hosts. Morgan Rogers volleyed Chelsea ahead after 77 seconds and briefly silenced the Emirates. Yet instead of crumbling, Arsenal attacked in waves and created a remarkable number of clear openings before Havertz equalized in the 25th minute. There was no panic in the stands, only loud encouragement as the comeback unfolded.

Raya admitted there were things to improve on the goal they conceded, especially how the team defended the very start of the game, but he praised the character shown in the response. Arsenal's subsequent dominance, both in attack and defence, proved decisive in securing a win the goalkeeper described as very important given the quality of Chelsea and their threat on transitions.

A key save to keep Arsenal's perfect start alive

With the score at 2-1, Chelsea pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and found a clear opportunity through Estêvão, who had just come off the bench. Raya produced a stunning intervention to deny the winger and preserve the three points. It was the final touch to a solid Arsenal performance that deserved the victory.

The champions' start has been impeccable. The Community Shield win over Manchester City has been followed by league victories that place Arsenal firmly at the top with maximum points. Raya summed up the mood with a clear message: Arsenal know how good they are and feel capable of beating anyone in the Premier League. The key, according to the goalkeeper, is staying in the present and continuing to play with the same determination.

What comes next for Arsenal in their title defence

The schedule will offer little respite to Arteta's side. Maintaining this level will require the defensive intensity, attacking fluidity and mental strength they have shown in the opening weeks of the campaign. The victory over Chelsea, a direct rival at the top, further strengthens Arsenal's case to retain the crown and confirms the team has left behind the nerves that marked the closing stretch of last season.

The London dressing room is radiating security and hunger. The blend of young talent, experience and a settled core allows Arsenal to compete with the feeling that pressure is no longer a burden, but a stimulus. Raya, one of the group's senior voices, insisted the focus must remain on what is in front of them so the title defence continues to grow week by week.