Arsenal told why £27m star is now 'the best in the world' as new award won | OneFootball

Gunners star can now be considered the greatest in his position

Arsenal have been told they have the best goalkeeper "in the world" in David Raya.

The keeper made a number of vital saves with the scores still level, first from Valentin Castellanos's giving header in the closing stages of the first half and then, more crucially, to deny Mateus Fernandes when one-on-one shortly after the restart.

Raya looked like he had gone from hero to zero in the 95th minute when fumbling a corner to allow Callum Wilson to score, only for VAR to rule that the shot-stopper had been fouled to rule out the goal.

The 1-0 win was Raya’s 18th clean sheet of the season, in his 36th league game, which saw him win the Premier League Golden Glove award for the third year in a row as that total can now not be surpassed.

David Raya celebrates beating West Ham

Getty

It was another impressive performance from a player who joined from Brentford, initially on loan, in 2023, and the chorus of praise for his exploits continues to rise.

Speaking last month, following Raya's man-of-the-match display against Sporting in the Champions League, Kai Havertz said of his team-mate: "I think he is still underestimated in the world of football, but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world.

“He's outstanding. He has saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him."

Head coach Mikel Arteta added at the time: "He's phenomenal and he has been extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him."

Fast-forward five weeks and now Jamie Redknapp is singing from the same hymn sheet.

He told Sky Sports: "When you think back, this is where the manager deserves credit because when David Raya first come, I wasn’t sure about that decision.

"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.”

Speaking about the save to deny Fernandes, Redknapp added: "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."