Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League, but the performance has sparked fresh debate.
The Gunners had to rely on David Raya, who produced a number of outstanding saves to keep a clean sheet. His display proved decisive on a difficult night away from home, and he deservedly won the Player of the Match award.
That performance has now led to questions about Mikel Arteta’s recent team selection decisions, where his number one was told to make way for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Piers Morgan brought that up while watching Raya’s brilliance in Lisbon.
🚨 Who played the biggest role in Arsenal’s 1-0 win vs Sporting?
Piers Morgan says starting Kepa Arrizabalaga in the cups was an ‘inexplicable’ mistake
Arteta decided to start Kepa in both the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup clash with Southampton.
Arsenal lost both of those games.
Kepa made a costly mistake against Pep Guardiola’s side by gifting Nico O’Reilly the opener. Then, although he was not directly at fault against Southampton, he failed to make a difference when they scored twice.
Against Sporting in the Champions League, Raya returned to the starting lineup and immediately showed why he is the number one. He made three big saves, including two outstanding stops from shots that looked destined to find the back of the net.
That contrast did not go unnoticed, especially after the recent cup exits, and Morgan took to X to have his say.
He tweeted: “David Raya has been sensational tonight. Making it all the more inexplicable why Arteta didn’t play him in our last two Cup matches.”
It’s easier to talk in hindsight, but things could have been very different if Raya was in goal in the two games instead of Kepa.
READ MORE: Kai Havertz’s instant reaction to David Raya’s performance vs Sporting CP
TRUE or FALSE: David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world…
David Raya is Arsenal’s player of the season
Several Arsenal players have had excellent campaigns, including Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Any of them would be worthy winners of the Player of the Season award.
However, in our view, Raya deserves it more than anyone else.
The Spaniard has saved Arsenal countless times and has been a key reason why they are competing for the biggest trophies. His consistency has been remarkable throughout the season.
Raya has also kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in both the Premier League and the Champions League so far this term.
That level of performance is difficult to ignore. Even Thierry Henry has backed Raya for the Player of the Season award, which says a lot about how highly he is rated.
If Arsenal go on to win the Premier League and the Champions League, Raya will be one of the main reasons why.
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