Jamie Redknapp praises Arsenal player who he feels is 'maybe the best' in the world | OneFootball

When Mikel Arteta made the ruthless call to replace fan-favourite Aaron Ramsdale, the footballing world was surprised. Arsenal already possessed a top-class, highly popular English goalkeeper and making a move for David Raya felt something that was not needed.

However, the Spaniard has more than justified his signing, as well as the decision that Arteta made.

Raya has won the Golden Glove award in the Premier League for three seasons in a row now.

Following yet another heroic, match-winning display in a crucial, highly dramatic victory over West Ham United, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has joined a growing chorus of elite voices declaring the Spaniard not just the premier shot-stopper in England, but quite possibly the absolute best goalkeeper on the planet.

David Raya has been sensational for Arsenal

Against West Ham, in a fixture defined by intense late pressure and massive VAR controversy, Raya once again proved to be the ultimate difference-maker.

Redknapp was quick to hold his hands up and admit his own initial doubts, highlighting the incredible vision shown by the Arsenal manager.

‘When you think back, this is where the manager deserves credit because when David Raya first come, I wasn’t sure about that decision,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports, as reported by Metro.

‘Arsenal already had a good goalkeeper in Aaron Ramsdale. I was thinking, “why are you making that change?”

‘But this season Raya has shown he’s definitely the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and maybe the best goalkeeper in the world.

‘It is an unbelievable save in the moment. You have to give the goalkeeper credit. He stands up and then he flicks out his right foot. It is an unbelievable save.’

Spaniard is highly valued by the Gunners

Just last month, following Raya’s masterclass in the Champions League, teammate Kai Havertz publicly voiced the exact same opinion, calling the 30-year-old phenomenally underestimated and the best player in the world in his position.

Arteta himself has continuously lauded his number one as extraordinary, fully vindicated by a player who has single-handedly rescued points for the Gunners time and time again.

While the £27 million fee paid to Brentford was initially viewed as a luxury spend, it now looks like the absolute bargain of the decade.

Raya has provided Arsenal with the calming, world-class foundation required to deal with pressure situations and ability to make saves when goals have looked certain.

As the Gunners stand on the absolute brink of lifting the Premier League trophy, Arteta’s boldest transfer gamble has evolved into a masterstroke