Arsenal have a mountain to climb as they head to St James’s Park to try and overturn a two goal deficit in their quest to reach the Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal lost the first leg at the Emirates Stadium 2-0 thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Antony Gordon on a night where Lee Dixon criticised the defending of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Danny Murphy has praised Declan Rice for his high pressing in recent performances and Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can continue their recent intensity for a fast start to the second leg.
David Raya excelled for Arsenal in their recent win over Manchester City and the Spanish goalkeeper’s importance has been highlighted even more so with recent performances by other Premier League shot stoppers.
Jamie Carragher has questioned the ability of current Premier League goalkeepers
Speaking on Sky Sports match coverage of Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur, pundit Jamie Carragher slammed the standard of goalkeeping currently in the Premier League.
Carragher stated: “I actually think the level of goalkeeping in the Premier League right now is as bad as it’s been. I see so many goals go in. We are in an era last two-three years where there’s been more goals scored than ever before. I feel the level of goalkeeping is a big part of that.’
David Raya is an exception to Carragher’s comments and has proven it over the last two seasons. Raya currently has eight clean sheets this season, the third highest amount having won the Golden Glove award last season.
His distribution helps his side build attacks from the very back, his positioning and awareness allows Arsenal to press high up the pitch and the Spaniard commands his area well.
David Raya has been outstanding for Arsenal this season
Raya has made a string of high-profile saves this season, Arsenal fans were in disbelief at his penalty save against Atalanta and he made another outstanding stop to keep out Josko Gvardiol in the win over City.
The Spaniard signed for Arsenal on a permanent deal after an initial one-year loan and after having a shaky start to his Gunners career, he has grown into being the undisputed number one, seeing off Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya himself will admit to not being perfect and has made errors in his time at the Emirates Stadium but compared to the standard of many other Premier League goalkeepers, he is a goalkeeper that Arteta needs to cherish.
There will be more vital moments between now and the end of the season for Arsenal and in David Raya, the Gunners know they have a man they can rely on between the sticks.
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