David Raya is easily Arsenal's most disrespected player
David Raya is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Yet, for some reason, he's not spoken about in the same vein as those goalkeepers. Heck, he doesn't even start for Spain, which is genuinely wild to think about.
Over the summer, ESPN published an article whereby they'd rank the 50 greatest players in the Premier League. They ranked David Raya 47th - No, that's not a typo. They genuinely placed him 47th. Emiliano Martínez was even placed higher than him...
When Arsenal fans watch Raya, they feel safe and comfortable with him between the sticks. It's almost like he's not needed, but that's the biggest compliment to him.
The biggest reason why David Raya doesn't get the credit he deserves is actually his own fault.
Raya doesn't make flashy saves often. He is rarely in a position where he needs to pull off an outstretched save for the cameras; we only see him do that when a player takes a shot from distance or from the penalty spot.
Otherwise, it's a rarity, but he still has the tools to make outstanding saves. Heck, his one-on-one save to prevent Mateus Fernandes from scoring won Arsenal the title last season. Let's not forget that.
Raya showcases his goalkeeping ability before it's too late. He is one of the most commanding figures in the game, and he rarely allows for any drama. You will often see him come off his line and stop crosses from entering the box. That's just what he does.
A misconception is that Raya has it easy because he plays behind the best defence in the world. The myth couldn't be more false.
Arsenal's defence is world-class because of Raya, not despite him. They complement each other well, or, to steal a phrase from the OG FIFA days, they have green chemistry (I'll see myself out...)
The point being, Raya does the quiet work so he doesn't get the same praise as the goalkeepers who allow the loud work to creep up. It's a paradox, but I would much prefer Raya to keep preventing action in the box rather than be forced to save shots.
Arsenal face low expected goals (xG). In fact, that's a wild understatement.
Out of the five teams to concede the lowest xG in a Premier League match, Arsenal make up three of them with their matches.
Raya is pacing towards his fourth Golden Glove in a row. If he wins it this season, it would be a feat that no other goalkeeper has achieved consecutively (4), and it would match Petr Čech and Joe Hart in the all-time lists (4).
Surely, then, we are talking about one of the best goalkeepers the Premier League has ever seen. The numbers don't lie, after all.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where players are not appreciated until they hang up their boots. History is now recognised in hindsight, not when it's in the process of being made.
No matter which way you look at it, David Raya being completely overlooked benefits Arsenal. Keep ignoring him, and he'll keep doing what makes Arsenal so great in the modern era.
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