David Raya: Expert reveals what makes Arsenal keeper 'the best'
Arsenal superstar David Raya has a particularly impressive ability to hold onto the ball after making a save.
That is the opinion of former Millwall and Coventry City goalkeeper, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 31-year-old has received huge praise over the past three years, having played a huge part in the Gunners' staggering defensive record since joining from Brentford.
Raya has won the golden glove for three consecutive seasons, and will match the Premier League record for the award set by Joe Hart and Petr Cech if he wins it again this campaign.
The Spain international attracted huge praise last week after saving a penalty as Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Raya got down well to his left, tipping Enzo Le Fee's spot kick onto the post just 121 seconds before Bruno Guimaraes scored the winner at the other end.
David Raya 'never gives second chances'
It is baffling to think that Raya's arrival in 2023 was not universally supported. Aaron Ramsdale had been superb at Arsenal and many thought Mikel Arteta's decision to oust him was harsh and unnecessary.
But it has become clear in the years since that the £27million the Gunners paid for Raya is among the finest investments in their recent history.
"Top goalkeepers need top belief from the manager, from the club, from the supporters," King told Football Insider.
"What I really liked with him when he was at Brentford was that he made saves and he held on to the ball. He never gives second chances. And some of his reflex saves and also his distribution, he's a great kicker of the ball.
"If he makes a mistake, he puts his hands up straight away. You know, 'it's my mistake', but he gets on with it. Even long throws that were propelled in from Sunderland, he knew and the defenders knew that he was going to catch it. If he'd come in that six-yard box, he'd catch it.
"And then he's looking quickly to get rid of it. I saw him at Brentford and I thought, 'bloody hell, where did they get him from?' And he's only played 13 times for Spain.
"He's had some decent goalkeepers that he's been substitute to, but he isn't going to be substituted anymore because he's the best goalkeeper. He's the best Spanish goalkeeper, for me anyway."
Why does Raya not play for Spain?
It is one of football's great mysteries why Raya cannot seem to get a game for Spain, with the Arsenal man largely unused for successful European Championship and World Cup campaigns in the last two years.
Luis De La Fuente is wedded to first choice Unai Simon, who, in fairness, has never let him down.
"It would be unfair if we didn’t value Unai Simon’s quality, class, career, and professional experience," he said in March. "It would be absurd for me to have to come here and reaffirm it, just because he’s Unai Simon.
"When a goalkeeper is at this level, you have to respect his standing and his career. Besides, we have David Raya, who I’m eager for you to ask me about. In England, they consider him the best goalkeeper in the world, and here nobody talks about him.
"The same goes for Joan Garcia and Alex Remiro, let’s be fair. But Unai Simon is indisputable. The others have a lot of talent and class, but everything in its own time.”