Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was hailed as the ‘best in the world’ after he starred in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City.
While Man City scored an incredibly late equaliser to deny Mikel Arteta a famous win and preserve their unbeaten start to the new season, even sealing a point was a good achievement for an Arsenal team that were reduced to ten men before half-time.
Erling Haaland has given the hosts an early lead with his 100th goal for the club but Arsenal turned the game around by the interval through Riccardo Calafiori’s superb strike and Gabriel’s towering header.
A huge moment in the match came on the stroke of half-time when Leandro Trossard, already on a yellow card, was sent off for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart.
Ten-man Arsenal were camped in their own half for almost the entirety of the second half but frustrated Manchester City until John Stones scrambled home an equaliser in the 98th minute.
Arsenal’s defence had produced a masterclass to keep Man City at bay, with Raya making a number of impressive saves and supporting his team-mates with several crucial claims from crosses.
Raya, who made his loan move to Arsenal permanent over the summer, has been in brilliant form this season and was described as the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ after his heroics at the Etihad Stadium.
‘He’s certainly a keeper in form, in great form,’ ex-Tottenham defender Gary Stevens told Stadium Astro. ‘He’s right up there.
‘He’s dominant when he comes to crosses and he’s a great shot-stopper. He joined the club on loan and there was that debate over who would start.
‘Mikel Arteta stuck with Raya and he’s now a permanent signing and Arsenal have got this one right, 100%.’
Asked whether he considered Raya the best goalkeeper in the world on current form, Stevens added: ‘Yeah, he’s right up there.
‘Now I would definitely say there’s not a better goalkeeper out there than him.’
Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe echoed Stevens’ sentiment, saying: ‘Today he [Raya] showed command of his penalty box and that takes so much stress out of defending when the goalkeeper comes and claims the ball.
‘He was different class. I would say so [he’s the best in the world]. Obviously Ederson’s at the other end and he didn’t have a thing to do so it’s hard to judge. But Raya is in such a rich vein of form at the moment.’
Raya helped Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the Premier League last season. Only Liverpool have conceded less goals than the Gunners this term.
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Lauren, the ex-Arsenal star, believes his former club boast the best defence in Europe given the formidable partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel.
‘There are many good defences across Europe but Arsenal might well be the best,’ he told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League betting. ‘Having William Saliba and Gabriel, the coordination between them is so important.
‘We’ve seen in the past when Saliba was injured that Arsenal conceded more chances and lost more games, keeping them fit might be the key to winning the Premier League.
‘Over the years William Saliba and Gabriel have built an incredible partnership with great coordination, they have been brilliant and if Arsenal are going to win major trophies then that is key.’
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