Jamie Carragher has applauded Arsenal’s ‘brave’ decision to find an upgrade for Aaron Ramsdale as the club now boast the ‘best goalkeeper in the Premier League’ in David Raya.
Raya is one of just six players to have played every minute for their club in the Premier League this season, starting all 36 games and producing a string of outstanding performances to ensure Arsenal remain a defensive force.
on sunday, Raya once again underlined his vital importance to Arsenal with a crucial save to deny Mateus Fernandes HOW Mikel Arteta’s side beat West Ham to restore their five-point lead at the summit and keep hopes alive for a historic double.
It’s easy to forget that eyebrows were raised when the Gunners first signed Raya – initially on loan from Brentford – in 2023, with established number one Ramsdale joining in a £30m deal just two years earlier.
However, the 30-year-old Spaniard has gone on to silence those initial doubters and is now widely ranked among the most complete goalkeepers and best stoppers in European football.
After an excellent debut season at the Emirates, Raya was named in the PFA Team of the Year, also picking up the Golden Glove, despite Arteta’s men finishing second behind Manchester City.
Raya picked up the Golden Glove award for the second time last season – sharing the award with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels – as the north Londoners finished runners-up again.
With 18 clean sheets to his name this time around, Raya looks on course to claim the award for a third successive season, with his nearest rival Gianluigi Donnarumma only amassing 14 clean sheets with three games remaining in City’s campaign.
“When you talk about magical moments, this is certainly one of the most necessary moments to achieve that expectation,” Arteta said of Raya’s recent heroics at the London Stadium.
“He was incredible.”
Analyzing the central role Raya has played for Arsenal both domestically and in Europe on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme, Carragher said there could be no doubt that Arteta now had the best goalkeeper in the league at his disposal.
“It’s not just this season, it’s the call to bring it in. It wasn’t universally popular when the change was made,” the former Liverpool and England defender declared ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Leeds.
“I was probably quite convinced at the time that I felt Arsenal should get rid of Aaron Ramsdale. He was good Premier League the goalkeeper and I just didn’t think they could win the Premier League with him in goal.
“Now it remains to be seen whether Raya is that guy, but it was a brave decision.
Former goalkeeper coach (Inaki Cana) i David Raya at Brentford moved to Arsenal and perhaps gave a little insight into what kind of goalkeeper he was, but he has been a revelation.
“A few months ago, on Monday Night Football, we did a show about which goalkeeper would you like to go on and win the league: Gianluigi Donnarumma or David Raya? And he’s certainly won that battle.
“He is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He could certainly have that mantle.’
While admitting many Arsenal fans may still fear another slip-up, Carragher is adamant it is only a matter of time before Raya and Co are crowned champions of England.
“I said before the weekend that it felt like the biggest game of the season because it affected four teams: the two teams involved, plus Spurs AND Manchester City as well,” he said.
“There was a big controversy at the end, which could have gone either way.
“I said last week that if Arsenal win in West Hamthey win the league so i think they have a great chance.
“I still believe that anyone involved with Arsenal, be it a player or a fan, will not believe it because that is the nature of the game and you always think the worst is around the corner.
“But they have a really favorable game coming up next, Burnley at home, and then an away game Crystal Palace which obviously isn’t easy, but if you’re picking a game away from home, considering the European commitments they have…’
Asked if he was confident in backing Arsenal to win their first title in 22 years, Carragher replied: “Yeah, I’m standing by that prediction, I think they’ll win the league now.”
“They’ve just gotten over that little wobble they had and since then they’ve been really impressive.
“Not always in terms of performance, but they haven’t looked nervous, they haven’t looked nervous.
“There was maybe a spell of four out of five games where it looked like they were going off the rails, but they seem to be back in it now.”
Is David Raya the best all-round goalkeeper in the world?
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