Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester City raised a lot of talking points as one player stood out with his display.
Mikel Arteta was agonisingly close to getting his first away win against Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, as Arsenal were denied three points in the final seconds.
The Gunners did remarkably well to withstand City’s pressure throughout the entire second half with 10 men, as Leandro Trossard was sent off before half time.
Goals from Erling Haaland, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel and John Stones saw the scoreline end level, with Arsenal’s defensive performance something to behold.
David Raya called the best goalkeeper in the world after Arsenal draw vs Man City
The commitment of the entire squad to keep City out to earn a draw was magnificent, with one player singled out for his contribution.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya continued his impressive form against the champions, following on from his point-saving penalty save against Atalanta earlier in the week.
Deservedly, the Spaniard earned a host of praise for his display at the Etihad, with the shot-stopper being the topic of conversation during Stadium Astro’s dissecting of the game.
Former Spurs defender Gary Stevens joined Lee Sharpe in singing Raya’s praises for his performance against the champions.
“I think he’s dominant with the crosses, he gets people organised, he’s a great shot-stopper, I think that’s probably his greatest asset,” Stevens said.
Sharpe responded by applauding Raya’s stance in Arsenal’s box in the second half, “I think [against City] he showed command of his penalty box.
“When you’re under pressure, it takes so much stress out of defending when the keeper claims it. He was a different class today.”
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Host Adam Carruthers then asked the pair if Raya is ‘the best in the world’ at this moment, to which Sharpe and Stevens were in total agreement.
Sharpe said, “Yeah, I would say so, arguably. He’s certainly in a rich vein of form,” as Stevens replied with a more firm view.
“You have to say that Arsenal have got it right with their recruitment, 100%. Now, I would definitely say that there’s not a better goalkeeper out there.”
Raya is proving Mikel Arteta right
There was a lot to be said last season about Raya with reference to Aaron Ramsdale, who lost his place at the Emirates to accommodate the Spaniard.
Arriving on an initial loan from Brentford, many were against Arteta’s decision to axe Ramsdale from his favoured XI, an opinion that has been ousted by the goalkeeper himself.
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Now that the Englishman has found a home at Southampton, Raya has taken the next step between the sticks at Arsenal, not only being the club’s number one but also one of the world’s best.
It’s been an emphatic start to the 2024/25 calendar for Raya, who has proved himself to be one of the best shot-stoppers in world football as a result of his current run of form.
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