Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League
David Raya is the league’s ‘most improved player’, says Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel (Picture: Getty)
Peter Schmeichel heaped praise on David Raya after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and picked out the goalkeeper as ‘the most improved player’ in the Premier League.
The Gunners had looked on course to drop crucial points in the title race after Piero Hincapie directed the ball into his own net to cancel out William Saliba’s headed opener at the Emirates.
But Mikel Arteta’s men regrouped at the half-time break and once again found the breakthrough from a set-piece play in the 66th minute, with Jurrien Timber nodding Declan Rice’s corner beyond Robert Sanchez to restore the hosts’ advantage.
Raya made a string of fine saves to deny Chelsea, but arguably the finest came in the third minute of stoppage time as the Spaniard flew to his left to keep out a goalbound cross-cum shot from substitute Alejandro Garnacho.
Several Arsenal players immediately went over to celebrate with Raya, who shooed his team-mates away to get set for the resulting corner, which ultimately came to nothing.
Sunday’s result ensured the league leaders preserved their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top ahead of their midweek trip to Brighton, where they will look to pick up where they left off.
While Arsenal’s attack have received their fair share of criticism across the campaign, Arteta’s defence are widely credited with being the finest in the country – and the stats are there to back it up, with the Gunners boasting the best record in the top flight.
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Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Raya has silenced those who had doubts about his move to Arsenal in 2024 (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Timber’s second-half winner ensured Arsenal preserved their five-point lead at the summit (Picture: Getty)
Raya has been instrumental in Arsenal conceding just 22 goals in their 29 games and legendary ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Schmeichel had nothing but praise for the 30-year-old in his post-match analysis.
‘I didn’t understand when he came from Brentford, I didn’t understand because they had Aaron Ramsdale here and Ramsdale was doing very well,’ Schmeichel said on Viaplay.
‘I didn’t get it and I was very critical at the time: you can’t have two number ones, you’ve got choose, why do you bring him in?
‘I think he is probably the most improved player in the Premier League over the last two or three seasons.’
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Schmeichel got the chance to tell Raya exactly what he thought of his recent performances as the Spain international joined Viaplay’s punditry team on the pitch shortly after the final whistle.
‘Without what you’ve done this season, you [Arsenal] wouldn’t be where you are,’ Schmeichel told the former Brentford shot-stopper.
‘And again, you proved that you are one of the most important players, not only for Arsenal but in the Premier League.
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Raya reacted brilliantly to deny Garnacho in the dying moments (Picture: Getty)
‘The saves you make, you make them at [important] times, you make them at times where you are so much under pressure.
‘I just want to give you that because I think you’ve done absolutely fantastic.’
On the praise he received from Schmeichel, Raya replied: ‘That’s fantastic to hear from you so thank you very much.’
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Freddie Ljungberg was similarly glowing with his comments about Raya, while praising his former club for signing players they ‘need’ instead of just big-name talent in recent years.
‘What Arsenal have done really well is that the buy players they need, not just a name,’ the ex-Arsenal and Sweden winger said.
‘With Raya and how Arteta wants to play football, he works perfectly.
‘Maybe he’s not the tallest, the biggest, but he’s really high up, he’s brave so he’s playing like a sweeper ‘keeper, he uses his feet well.
‘That’s what I think Arsenal have done really well, they buy what they need and not just the name.’
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Arteta’s men return to action away to Brighton on Wednesday evening (Picture: Getty)
Schmeichel called on referees to take a firm stance in response to the constant ‘pushing’ and ‘shoving’ at set-pieces as he turned his attentions to Arsenal’s goals at the other end of the pitch.
The 1999 treble winner added: ‘All the goals we’ve seen now, all the pushing, shoving and pulling players down, I think we need to get onto the referees and say: “This has got to stop!”
‘Now, every time it happens, give a goal kick or a free kick and start over so we stop it.
‘That’s not the spirit of the game, it isn’t. You’ve got like six, seven, eight fouls on every corner kick we see and it’s not good, it’s not.’
Arsenal will hope to tighten their grip on top spot when they return to Premier League action away to Brighton in two days’ time.
Second-placed Manchester City welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad that same night and will look to keep themselves within touching distance of the leaders after seeing off Leeds at the weekend.
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