David Raya still repeating message to Arsenal team-mate after 'secret weapon' unlocked

David Raya has been urging to take more shots on goal, and tactical shift for the midfielder seems to be paying off. have once again secured the runners-up spot in the , marking their third consecutive second-placed finish and showcasing a consistent improvement under Arteta's reign.

Despite a painful loss to in the semi-finals and an early exit in the to , the Gunners have still managed to elevate their game this season. One notable change the faithful have observed is stepping up his attacking output.

With 52 appearances this season, the midfielder has scored nine goals and assisted 10 times. In his most recent scoring exploit against , Rice's sole strike guaranteed second place and a spot in next year's as the Gunners won 1-0 in their final home game at the Emirates this season.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Following that game earlier this month, team-mate was quick to praise Rice's knack for finding the net. Speaking post-match, the goalkeeper revealed to : "I always tell him he needs to shoot more.

"I tell him he has a great strike, and he has proved it every time he scores from that distance. Both against and this goal are copies of the goal he scored against Manchester United.

"I've always told him he needs to shoot more because he has an incredible strike. We need to use the weapon he has in his right foot."

The goalkeeper, who secured back-to-back Golden Glove awards thanks to his many clean sheets, has showcased his firm belief in Rice's striking prowess. And Arteta has also recognised the potential benefits of deploying Rice in a more attacking position to enhance his goalscoring impact.

His contributions, including in the quarter-finals, have added an extra layer to Rice's game as he shifted into a central role with more responsibility further forward throughout the season.

Across 52 appearances this season, Rice started 15 games as a defensive midfielder, scoring once and providing two assists. However, as a central midfielder, the 26-year-old scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 37 appearances during the 2024/25 season, further proving his worth in a more attacking role for the Gunners.

After Arsenal's resounding 5-1 aggregate win over Madrid, in both legs of the quarter-final match-up. Speaking back in April, he said: "I think tonight he was immense. I think he turned the game around.

"The moment the game was 50/50, he got the ball and he turned the game. I think he was immense today. He made a difference in the tie."

Arteta's decision to encourage Rice to get forward and score more has evidently paid dividends. And Raya continued to praise his manager's straightforward approach to keeping the team in shape and his aim to steer the squad towards more success in all competitions.

The 29-year-old added: "The coach is very important for us; he tells us things as they are. When he needs to put a bit of pressure on us or when we need to do more, he tells us.

"And when he says what we need to do, he says it as it should be said, and we all agree. Arteta is very important for us."

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our