Alan Shearer says £30m Arsenal star is now ‘one of the best in the Premier League’

Alan Shearer rates Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as ‘one of the best in the Premier League’ and says only two rivals are possibly better.

Raya has made a huge impact for the Gunners since his somewhat surprising move from Brentford in the summer of 2023.

His switch to north London raised eyebrows as Arsenal already had England international Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks and challenged for the Premier League title the season before.

It was even suggested that Raya may have to settle for a place on the Arsenal bench but the Spaniard quickly displaced Ramsdale, establishing himself as Arteta’s No. 1.

Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League last season and much of that was down to Raya, who has continued to impress this term for the title-chasing Gunners.

Raya’s impressive form has led to claims he is ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’ and Shearer also rates him highly, though he believes he needs to do more to prove he is better than Manchester City’s Ederson and Liverpool’s Alisson.

‘David Raya has starred this season, and he took that form into the international break with Spain too,’ the ex-England striker told Betfair.

‘But when you look at what Ederson does for Man City and Alisson at Liverpool, I wouldn’t say Raya is the best in the Premier League, yet. There’s no doubt he’s up there though as one of the best.

‘When you consider the noise that was around when Mikel Arteta signed him and he went up against Aaron Ramsdale, having both of those goalkeepers didn’t quite feel right.

‘However, you’ve got to give Arteta credit for doing that, because it certainly has worked out, for the better.

‘Raya is exactly what Arsenal and Arteta wanted in terms of a ball-playing goalkeeper, who can start moves the way Arsenal want.

‘He’s also a good shot-stopper, which we’ve seen so many times this season; he’s saved them points, not only in the Premier League, but in the Champions League as well.’

Arsenal have only conceded six goals in seven league games this season and will look to keep the pressure on the top-two in the Premier League, Liverpool and Man City, when they visit Bournemouth on Saturday evening.

Another key player for Arsenal is Bukayo Saka and Shearer has questioned whether Arteta could win the title without the England star.

Saka, 23, has scored two goals and made seven assists in the Premier League so far this season and Shearer says his absence for any period of time would be a ‘massive blow’.

There were fears Saka suffered an injury during the international break after missing England’s Nations League match against Finland, but Arteta confirmed on Friday that he was expected to be fit to face Bournemouth.

‘It would be a huge blow for Arsenal’s title hopes if Bukayo Saka is out for any length of time, especially with the injury Martin Odegaard has too,’ Shearer added.

‘It looks to be minor, but we’re not sure how long Saka will be out for, so for Arsenal to lose two of their big players, and both of those are huge players, it would be a massive blow to Arsenal.

‘When you look at what he brings to the team with his energy, his ability and his attitude, he’s without doubt, one of their top players. 

‘We know what he brings to Arsenal and England, so they need to get him fit because he offers them so much. 

‘I hope Saka’s injury is not too bad and by all accounts it doesn’t sound like it is, so it could be good news for him and Arsenal.’

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