Nearly nine months have passed since Mikel Arteta made that bizarre argument regarding his goalkeepers.

They are interchangeable, just like any other position, was the rationale given after David Raya had usurped Aaron Ramsdale for Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton in September.

It was put to him that it was a highly unusual strategy. ‘That’s strange?’ he asked in reply. ‘Why? Why not? We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it.’

Sure enough, those words now seem like they were misleading, a smokescreen. Or maybe Raya has just been so good that the thought of rotation has gone out of Arteta’s mind.

Because 15 clean sheets later, Raya has secured the Golden Glove — the award for the most clean sheets kept by a keeper in a Premier League season — with two games still left. Everton’s Jordan Pickford (12) and Fulham keeper Bernd Leno (10) lie in his wake.

David Raya (pictured) showed why Mikel Arteta chose him to be the club's number one after securing the Premier League's golden glove at the weekend

It is some feat and is vindication for Arteta. After some heroic displays by Ramsdale in the previous campaign, including one stunning fingertip save to earn a point at Anfield, it was a brave move to drop him. Especially as Arsenal, before their almighty drop-off last April, led the title race throughout the season.

Raya is not perfect but Arteta has stuck with him. The Spanish goalkeeper can make mistakes, he can be vulnerable. Last weekend against Tottenham he passed the ball straight to Spurs’ Cristian Romero, who scored, leaving Arsenal to navigate what became a nervous last half-hour.

Or there was Mykhailo Mudryk’s goal for Chelsea in October when Raya was caught off his line, or his display against Luton in December when he made two gaffes — Ross Barkley’s tame effort crept under him and he flapped at a cross which allowed Elijah Adebayo to head the ball home. But Raya has bounced back each time, with the added pressure of knowing Ramsdale is raring to go if given the chance.

‘We’re really pleased,’ said Arteta about Raya’s Golden Glove following the 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday that by the end of the day had maintained Arsenal’s one-point lead at the top. They are praying Manchester City slip up either next Saturday at Fulham or at Spurs the following week before they host West Ham on the final day.

‘It’s a huge success for the team in this league to achieve that with a few games to go still,’ Arteta added. ‘It gives us a huge foundation to be closer to winning trophies. The contribution from everybody, including David obviously, it’s really good.’

While Raya does have vulnerabilities, his strengths outweigh them. His handling of crosses is one of them. He has collected the highest percentage of crosses swung into the penalty area in the league. He is only six feet tall but what he lacks in height, Raya makes up for in athleticism and anticipation.

Often prior to the cross arriving he is already way off his line to collect the ball before it reaches an attacker. His method is laced with jeopardy but gives Raya the chance to utilise his other main strength: ball distribution.

A number of times this season, the 28-year-old has collected a cross and launched it forward with a monstrous throw or pin-point kick downfield to set Bukayo Saka or Leandro Trossard free down the flanks — leaving the opposition scurrying back in panic.

Ramsdale will in all likelihood move on in the summer. He knows that rotation will never happen. And Arsenal will make Raya’s loan move from Brentford permanent with a handshake — presumably with the Spaniard wearing that new Golden Glove.