David Raya has been one of Arsenal’s most improved players over the past year, or perhaps even the most improved player in European football.
The Spaniard has been in outstanding form since joining the Gunners, and his international career has also taken off.
Last season, he recorded the most clean sheets in the Premier League, providing a solid platform for Arsenal’s challenge for the league title.
Raya has had to turn doubters into believers after replacing the fan-favourite Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s goalkeeper. Now, he is aiming to become the world’s best goalkeeper.
AS has been following Raya closely as he continues to make one stunning save after another. On Sunday, he was the star of the match as a ten-man Arsenal came close to defeating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
He made several world-class saves to preserve Arsenal’s lead until the final moments of the game.
The report suggests Raya is now on the verge of becoming the world’s best goalkeeper, a title currently held by Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.
Just Arsenal Opinion
This report is spot-on. Raya has been the best-performing goalkeeper in Europe for some time, and we clearly are lucky to have him in our goal.
If he stays fit, he could win the Golden Gloves award again and perhaps help us win the EPL title.
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He’s definitely of the best, but like Saliba said before to be the best in the world you have to win trophies.
*definitely one of the best*
I think Raya is certainly up there with the best. In addition to Courtois (who is excellent) I guess there’s also the likes of Ter Stegen at Barcelona and probably a couple of others.
I’m not sure how you objectively determine “the best” keeper internationally – % of shots saved, % of clean sheets? “Great saves” made is a little subjective. I guess it also depends on the strength of the defence in front of you (how often the ball gets to the keeper) and, more generally, on the strength of the other teams you play against regularly.
Anyway, Raya is the best in the EPL currently – and long may that continue.
I said all that last month that it’s hard to judge the golden glove award is not necessarily the best goal keeper due to how good the defence is in front of him. I was told that the defence is good because he controls the defence by instructing them during the game. I didn’t bother to comment back at the time, due to the expected long debate.
However, besides his great clean sheet record, he has made some brilliant individual saves and no real mistakes to back up this claim. I think the man of the match awards and as you say the performance against top opposition to be included with the clean sheets, should be the better STATs judge come the end of the season as winning trophies is more a team award.
Great minds think alike (I didn’t see your earlier post). I’m glad we have him.
GK is a position so difficult to actually gauge who is better than the other. A Keeper is so integral to the tactics a team likes to employ but generally speaking, Raya is up there. He has everything now, shot stopping, reflexes, passing and distribution, Street smartness, good IQ, and now a consistently calm demeanor. If he continues this way this season, he will be among the top 5 or even 3 GKs in the modern football.
Are we talking about the same David Raya who was roundly criticised?
Not by everyone, though I take your point. There were/are some of us who thought he was
going to be a success as the first choice at Arsenal.
And glad he proved doubters wrong
I was one of the fans who couldn’t understand why we signed Raya, as I didn’t think he was any better Ramsdale. Well now I’ve certainly changed my mind. Some of the saves he has pulled off are certainly world class. Fingers crossed that he keeps it up and we win some silverware.
Not even in the top 3-5 in the league let alone the world .
Hes done well this season no doubt,but Arsenal fans do like to go overboard.
Oh, that’s very harsh, I think. Who are “the top 3 – 5” ahead of him in the EPL, then?
He hasn’t just done well this season; he did end up with the most clean sheets last season (his first for the club – often potentially difficult).
Ederson – the best goalkeeper in world football
Martinez
Allison
That’s 3 ….
Could probably pick another 2 with lesser defence in front of them but I’m sure you get my point .
Not sure about that but that’s the knub of the question, which was raised earlier, how do you determine the best keepers? What weight do you give to the defence in front of them? Or is it % of saves, % of clean sheets?
Is Ederson at City or Martinez at Villa or Alison at Liverpool really better than Raya? They all have competent defences in front of them as well. I don’t see any factor that puts Raya at a disadvantage against any of those three.
I suppose it comes down to opinion and in my general outlook what they have won .
Like I said he’s done well this season but Arsenal fans go overboard at any given chance ,to even suggest he’s above the 3 I mentioned is blinkered IMO .
But opinions are just that ….
You have yours and I’ll stick to mine ,at the end of the day we are both fans and not experts on this topic .
Agree to disagree is the moto of the day until it gets personal (which you didn’t )which I respect.🫡
A lot of snivelling children on just Arsenal ,fans wanting to get posters banned just because they don’t agree with others opinions.
I’ve read your posts over the last few months and your a refreshing change from that lot .
Nice to see 👍
Lets not go overboard. Raya and Arsenal have won nothing. Raya isn’t even Spains no1. While he is playing very well for us and in great form. All great players have to win something to be classed as one of the best. Otherwise its baseless. Is he better than Ramsdale? He hasn’t achieved anymore than him. Neither won a cup for us and both helped the team to second. We can have this conversation when he helps us win the league or CL.
Also at the moment we are all happy with what he is doing but that doesn’t make him one of the best in the world.
Did he make the player’s team of the season I think when you are voted top by your fellow professionals it shows that you have been one of the best in the league.
My favorite attribute of Raya’s is how he plucks balls from the air by making it look easy I have seen too many keepers flap at crosses for me to not rate Raya very highly
I don’t think anyone has suggested that Raya is the world’s best and neither does it matter if there are other class goal keepers ahead of him .
Raya has proved to be an accomplished Gk and he works well with his team mates. What got my hackles rising was the relentless comparison between Ramsdale and Raya. You either trust the judgement of your manager until he cocks up or think you know better prior