Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya endured a harrowing nose injury while playing for Blackburn Rovers, a setback that marked a challenging moment in his career before his rise to prominence in the Premier League.
Born in Barcelona, Raya ventured to England in 2012 at the age of 16 to join Blackburn Rovers. After a loan spell at Southport in the National League, he ascended to become the primary goalkeeper for Blackburn, later transitioning to Brentford.
The incident occurred during a match against West Brom at the Hawthorns, where Raya collided with West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez, necessitating his hospitalization. Rovers manager Tony Mowbray described the severity of the injury, revealing that the bone at the top of Raya’s nose was nearly driven into his skull, leaving his nose in a precarious state.
Rodriguez expressed his remorse over the incident, acknowledging the unfortunate collision and expressing his concern for Raya’s well-being. Raya, upon his return, wore a protective mask for two weeks before undergoing nose reconstruction surgery later that season.
Reflecting on the ordeal in a later interview, Raya discussed his decision to postpone surgery to avoid a prolonged absence from the pitch, despite the lasting impact on his nose. Despite the setback, Raya’s resilience prevailed as he continued to excel, securing a move to Brentford and subsequently impressing in the Premier League, where he currently serves as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
