Patrick Vieira was in good form in the Sky Sports studio as Arsenal beat Burnley and he’s tipped one key Arsenal player to win the player of the season.
The Gunners have a number of players in line to be in contention for the award, with Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes the two main men mentioned.
Across the other side of the country, Man United’s Bruno Fernandes has been touted as a potential winner, while Erling Haaland’s goals will always get him a mention.
However, after Gary Neville went with Fernandes as his player of the year, Arsenal legend Vieira disagreed.
How do you feel about the idea that Arsenal are going to be ‘bad champions’?
It hasn't been pretty at times, but do you give a hoot?
Patrick Vieira names David Raya as his Premier League player of the season
Arsenal have been outstanding all season and their defensive prowess has been exceptional.
Tonight made it 32 clean sheets for the season in all competitions and according to Vieira, it is down to Raya’s brilliance that Arsenal are so solid.
“No I will go with one of the Arsenal players and for me, David Raya has to be the player of the season,” Vieira said on Sky.
“I think he has been outstanding from the first game of the season and I think he was really impressive, made some really important saves. He won so many points for Arsenal and for me, I don’t see a player who has been outstanding.
“We always seem to be going for the forward players or attacking players. But why not? I think for me, David will have my vote.”
Raya has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers since he was first brought to the club.
Looking back, at just £27m, the Spaniard looks like being one of the best ever signings of the Mikel Arteta era.
With three consecutive Golden Glove awards, Raya has shown just how good he is and crucially, how vital he is for Arsenal.
Whether or not he can land the top award across all players, remains to be seen.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
