David Raya is the name on every Arsenal fan’s lips at the moment following his incredible performance against Atalanta in the Champions League.
Arsenal found themselves unable to break Atalanta’s stubborn defence down, and they could have gone behind after Thomas Partey gave away a penalty.
However, Raya stepped up with a moment of magic, saving Mateo Retegui’s initial spot-kick, before astonishingly clawing away his rebound, in a remarkable double save which drew praise from Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Raya has been outstanding this season, and this was his second huge moment, after helping Arsenal win at Aston Villa with a world-class save off Ollie Watkins.
Arsenal fans are adamant that Raya has been the best goalkeeper in the world this season, and they are now comparing his penalty heroics to a save Wojciech Szczesny made against Liverpool in 2012.
Arsenal fans compare David Raya penalty save to Wojciech Szczesny against Liverpool
In the 2011-12 season, Arsenal faced a tough trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, and with the score at 1-1, the hosts had a penalty.
However, Dirk Kuyt hit his effort low to the left side, and Szczesny kept it out superbly. Kuyt then attempted to finish the rebound, but the goalkeeper recovered his position to keep it out, in a similar save to Raya’s against Atalanta.
Arsenal went on to win 2-1 at Liverpool, with Szczesny’s save proving vital, and fans were quick to highlight the comparison between Raya’s heroics in the Champions League with this iconic moment.
“Raya double save had shades of his save against Olly Watkins vs Aston Villa where he got up super quick to save a surefire goal from a rebound. Was also the spitting image of Szczesny vs Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt. Raya’s was far more impressive though,” one fan posted on X.
“David Raya saving that penalty reminded me of this Szczesny save vs Liverpool,” another stated.
“My first thought yesterday was of Szczesny at Liverpool. Both fantastic saves!” A fan claimed.
“That might even be better than Szczesny v Liverpool 2012,” another fan pointed out.
“Possibly one of the best double save I’ve seen at Arsenal after Szczesny did that against Liverpool,” a happy fan posted.
“Best penalty double save I’ve seen from a goalkeeper since……..another Arsenal GK Wojciech Szczęsny had a phenomenal penalty double save from Dirk Kuyt Liverpool v Arsenal a decade ago,” a fan added.
David Raya’s double save compared to Wojciech Szczesny’s in Arsenal history
Both double saves will go down as two of the best in Arsenal’s modern history, but it is hard to pick a winner between Szczesny and Raya.
Given that Arsenal went on to win at Liverpool with a last-minute volley from Robin van Persie, Szczesny’s proved more crucial, as it turned a potential 2-1 defeat into a 2-1 victory, whilst Arsenal could not capitalise on the momentum from Raya’s save.
However, in terms of pure goalkeeping, Raya’s perhaps edges Szczesny’s out. The penalty from Retegui was hit with more power than Kuyt’s, whilst the follow-up effort was higher off the ground.
Both goalkeepers produced moments of magic for their penalty heroics, and both will be remembered for years to come.
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