Fabian Hurzeler was amazed by David Raya’s performance against Brighton earlier this season, and now, the goalkeeper is set to arrive at the Amex in top form.
Everybody talks about how good Arsenal’s defence is, but when it comes to giving credit for the lack of goals the Gunners have conceded, Raya deserves more attention.
Mikel Arteta just said Arsenal needed Raya to beat Chelsea, as the Spaniard saved his teammates multiple times to ensure three points remained at the Emirates.
Is David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world? If not, who is?
It wasn’t the only London derby that Raya has shone in, as he was terrific at Tottenham the week prior.
Now, he heads to Brighton to face Hurzeler’s team at the Amex, and it’s fair to say that the Seagulls will know exactly what to expect from Arsenal’s number one.
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Fabian Hurzeler will be so wary of David Raya against Brighton after past praise for Arsenal goalkeeper
When Arsenal faced Brighton at the Emirates in December, a match that ended 2-1, Hurzeler couldn’t hide his amazement at Raya’s performance.
“I had a perfect view of the Raya save, I wanted a perfect view of a goal, but he showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Hurzeler said.
Tell us what percentage of Premier League goalkeepers YOU THINK could make this save.
Raya made a save of the season contender against Brighton on that day, but since then, he’s added so many more to his collection, two even coming over the past week against Chelsea.
It’s why Hurzeler will be even more wary of how good his forwards will have to be to get the better of Arsenal, as if the defence wasn’t tough enough to crack, then Raya, at this level of form, is even tougher.
I think David Raya is underrated because of his height
When Arsenal signed Raya from Brentford, questions were asked about whether he was at the level to usurp Aaron Ramsdale.
What we’ve seen from the Spaniard since his arrival is constant progression.
He’s now one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, as Arsenal have seen in all competitions, being able to call upon their ‘keeper in every scenario.
Still, though, Raya is thought to be behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Premier League rankings, and he’s also not even the number one of his national team.
Which save did you prefer, David Raya vs Brighton or this one against Aston Villa?
Why do I think that is? His height.
Raya isn’t a mountainous figure between the posts, standing at exactly 6 feet tall, making him significantly shorter than Donnarumma at 6 foot 5.
I think the profile for a goalkeeper to be the world’s best naturally includes intimidating height that can make the goal look minuscule.
Raya doesn’t have that, but his shot-stopping ability and composure in the box cover for it.
Arsenal know how good their ‘keeper is, and so does the world, but he certainly deserves more applause.
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