Nicky Butt believes that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya should be in contention for the Premier League Player of the Season, along with Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes was named the FWA Footballer of the Year, winning the award ahead of Declan Rice and Erling Haaland.
🏆 The Premier League Player of the Season award should be given to ____________
But one name which has not been mentioned very much is Raya, who is once again on course to win the Premier League Golden Glove.
The Gunners’ defence has been superb this season, and the Spanish goalkeeper perhaps hasn’t received the recognition which he deserves.
Nicky Butt says David Raya should be a Player of the Season contender
Nicky Butt says Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya should be a contender for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Raya is now considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world following another top campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
Now, the former Manchester United midfielder has suggested that the Arsenal shot-stopper should be a contender to win the best performer award.
Butt told The Good, The Bad & The Football: “No, I think you’re right (Raya should be in for POTY), yeah. But only because there’s no one standing out.
“Everyone’s pointing at Bruno because he’s been so brilliant at Manchester United. But I think it’s always got to come from a team that’s won something for me.”
TRUE or FALSE: David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world…
The 30-year-old proved to be the difference maker for the Gunners at the weekend as he pulled off a world-class save against West Ham to deny Matheus Fernandes at 0-0.
Without the former Brentford goalkeeper, Arsenal might actually not be top of the Premier League table, given some of the remarkable saves he has managed to pull off.
Michael Owen on David Raya’s save vs West Ham
Michael Owen has credited Raya for making the brilliant save at 0-0 against West Ham, but claims that it was more of a big miss from Fernandes.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “More of a big miss than a big than a than a great save in my opinion. I thought it was really big. I’m going to tell you why…
“So, Fernandes is breaking through. Good move, actually, from West Ham. But when he’s taken that touch, I’m thinking straight away, you can just flick it with the outside of your foot. Lots of room.
“As I say, what he does is take an extra touch, and then he almost opens his body up as if to give the goalkeeper the eyes, and then pulls it. Now, pulls it into the near post.
“Now, if you’re going to give the goalkeeper the eyes, you’ve got to have space between yourself and the goalkeeper.
“When the goalkeeper is this far away, it doesn’t matter what eyes I’m giving; he’s just smothering the ball. He’s just blocking the ball. So, I can’t understand why he takes his touch.”
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