David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate…

David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate…

Kai Havertz declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after his saves helped Arsenal safe a 1-0 win over Sporting in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Havertz scored the decisive objective, controlling a move from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli and ending coolly in the 91st minute, however he was desperate to reward the goalkeeper’s contribution.

Raya made a string of important saves to protect Arsenal’s clear sheet, tipping a ferocious Maxi Araujo drive onto the bar early on and later pulling off a superb near-post cease from Geny Catamo.

The saves had been just the latest examples of Raya coming to Arsenal’s rescue this season, with supervisor Mikel Arteta having just lately confronted criticism for beginning Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of him in the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.

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Mikel Arteta praised his aspect’s team spirit after Kai Havertz sealed a 1-0 win over Sporting

“Unbelievable,” Havertz told Amazon Prime of Raya.

“I feel he is still underestimated in the world of soccer, however for me, the last two seasons, the best ‘keeper in the world.

“He’s outstanding. He has saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Arteta also praised the Spain worldwide’s contribution.

“He had two moments where he made two big saves,” he told Amazon Prime. “And that’s the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes because there’s so much quality.

“At the second he is phenomenal and he has been extraordinary since he joined us. We are very fortunate to have him.”

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Raya: First save was a turning point

Raya himself felt his early save from Araujo, after an excellent, outside-of-the-boot move from Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande, was essential to the consequence of the game.

“I think that’s a turning moment,” he added to Amazon Prime. “It was a quick transition from them and a great strike but I managed to get a fingertip to it to hit the bar. It’s one of those moments that can change games.

“It’s one thing that I’m there for. I’m attempting to assist the team as a lot as potential in any single action, not just defending however commanding and on the ball, so, delighted with myself performance and, after all, the win.”

Image:
David Raya made 5 saves during the game in Lisbon

Raya also displayed his composure in possession, finishing 26 of his 28 tried passes, and his ability to anticipate hazard behind Arsenal’s back-line when he headed away a protracted move close to the midway line to forestall a Sporting counter.

“You have to be focused no matter what you’re doing, whether you’re touching the ball or not,” he added.

“That’s something I’ve worked on over the years, you learn from previous situations where your head maybe goes and you’re not ready.

“I attempt to be prepared as a lot as potential during the game with some methods to maintain my thoughts centered on the ball.”

Speaking in his press conference about Raya’s role, Arteta added: “That’s the evolution of the game, I feel, in every function.

Image:
David Raya speaks to Mikel Arteta during the game

“The ‘keeper in the last few years has changed and evolved rapidly, and the amount of things that he has to do, it’s a lot.

“But many positions have very related conditions and calls for proper now, and the gamers should adapt to that.

“And when you have, apart from the qualities of David, the courage, the will to do certain things, that’s when you can reach another level.”

Stats present Raya’s worth to Arsenal

There is after all loads of competitors to be thought of the world’s best in his place, however Raya’s numbers in the Champions League actually put him in a league of his personal.

In addition to preserving the most clear sheets, with 13 from 23 games since the start of last season, placing him ahead of Yann Sommer, who has 11 in 24 for Inter, Raya has excellent underlying statistics.

In the same timeframe, the 30-year-old has only conceded 12 objectives from pictures on track value 21.07 xG, that means he has prevented just over 9 anticipated objectives.

Image:
Expected objectives prevented is the distinction between precise objectives conceded and anticipated objectives on track (xGOT)

It is a statistic which underlines his shot-stopping prowess and it is a far greater complete than any other goalkeeper has managed in the Champions League in the last two seasons, with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois next on the checklist on 6.12.

Arsenal will hope his excellent kind continues in next week’s second leg and past as they fight to win the Champions League for the first time in their historical past, helped by a goalkeeper demonstrating his world-class credentials.

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