World's best keeper? Raya helps Arsenal get back on track

David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world.

At least according to his Arsenal team-mates.

The Gunners keeper made four superb saves in his latest excellent display in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Sporting, with Kai Havertz hitting a late winner.

It is rare for a team who are top of the Premier League and in a European quarter-final to have a goalkeeper in the mix for player of the year - but Raya must be in contention.

The Spain international has kept 22 clean sheets in 41 appearances in all competitions this season - and his latest could not have come at a more important time for his side.

Arsenal travelled to Sporting after back-to-back losses for the first time this season - and the pressure and noise about Mikel Arteta's side being "nearly men" was loud before the game in Lisbon.

However, notably, Raya did not feature in either of those losses: Arteta opted to stick with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the defeats by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Arteta's decision to pick Kepa for the final with City was questioned after the loss as the back-up goalkeeper's error gifted Pep Guardiola's side the opening goal.

It also meant Arsenal's wait for a major trophy since 2020 continues.

But Raya's performance against Sporting showed why the 30-year-old is the Gunners' clear number one.

"Unbelievable" is how match-winner Kai Havertz described Raya to Amazon Prime.

"I think [he is] still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world. "He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him. "

Raya has kept the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues, with his 22 across all competitions four clear of Inter's Yann Sommer.

The former Brentford goalkeeper has become a big presence at Arsenal and is part of the team's leadership group.

He made a vital save to deny Maxi Araujo early on in Tuesday's match, tipping a thumping strike on to the crossbar before making three saves late on to keep the tie level before Havertz's winner.

"It's something that I'm there for.

I'm trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball," Raya told Amazon Prime.

The clean sheet was Raya and Arsenal's seventh in the Champions League this season - the most of any goalkeeper and any side in the competition.

"That's something we've worked on a lot. It's so important for us, those clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping that clean sheet decides those type of games," Raya said.

The goalkeeper's acrobatic saves are not the only impressive aspect of his game.

Raya is given a lot of responsibility with the ball at his feet and his passing range and decision-making make Arsenal a better attacking side. "That's the evolution of the game," Arteta said. "The keeper in the last few years has changed and evolved rapidly, and the amount of things that we ask him to do, it's a lot.

"But many positions have very similar situations and demands right now, and the players have to adapt to that.

"Apart from the qualities of David, the courage, the will to do certain things, that's when you can reach another level. "

But the Gunners boss would not be drawn on if he thought that Raya was the best goalkeeper in the world.

"He's extraordinary, magnificent, incredible," Arteta said. "I don't know the right adjective. We are so happy to have him. "

Raya has 15 clean sheets in 31 Premier League matches this season, the most in the division.

He shared the Golden Glove trophy with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels in 2024-25 - but Arsenal will hope that if Raya lifts that personal accolade again, it will mean they have secured silverware as a team too