Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has named Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as the 'outstanding candidate' to win the PFA Player of the Year award this season. Raya is one of only seven players to have played every single minute for their club in the Premier League, starting all 35 matches and delivering a string of exceptional performances that have kept Arsenal defensively formidable throughout the campaign.
When Arsenal first signed Raya from Brentford, eyebrows were raised given the presence of Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks. However, the 30-year-old Spaniard has silenced his initial doubters—and then some—over the last three years, establishing himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in European football. After an excellent debut season at the Emirates, Raya was named in the PFA Team of the Year and claimed the Golden Glove, despite Mikel Arteta's side finishing second in the English top flight behind Manchester City.
Raya's Golden Glove Streak
Raya secured the Golden Glove for a second consecutive season last term, sharing the award with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels, as Arsenal again finished runners-up. With 17 clean sheets to his name this time around, Raya looks well on course to scoop the prize for a third straight season. His nearest rival, Gianluigi Donnarumma, has accumulated just 13 clean sheets with four games remaining of City's campaign.
When it comes to the PFA Player of the Year, contenders such as Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, and Erling Haaland have all been tipped as possible candidates—12 months after Mohamed Salah clinched the award for a third time.
Schmeichel's Verdict
According to Schmeichel, Raya's extraordinary contribution has been such that he should be considered the clear frontrunner. 'There's one outstanding candidate and that's Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya,' the former Manchester United goalkeeper told Viaplay. 'If you take him out of Arsenal, Arsenal are nowhere near that first position they're in now, six points clear of Manchester City [before their draw with Everton]. I can't remember a goalkeeper who has saved his team that many points as he's done this season. The narrative is that Arsenal have the best defence and I'm a little bit like, "No, they concede so many chances"… they have the best goalkeeper, he's saving them time and time again. For me, and it's not just because I was a goalkeeper myself, but I just think he has been the outstanding performer of this Premier League season.'
Ljungberg's Counterpoint
Former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg took a different view to his Viaplay colleague, overlooking Raya and picking out Haaland and Rice as his two leading candidates for the individual prize. 'I would probably go with Haaland,' Ljungberg—who won the award in 2001/02—said. 'In the end this season, he's scored really important goals. Of course not as many as he's scored in the past, but he's still scored a lot. Maybe I would say Declan Rice if Arsenal wins it but I think that award should go to someone who wins the league. He does important goals for them and now I feel he has more of a leadership role, he's more involved in terms of talking to players and stuff than just scoring goals.'
Title Race Implications
Arsenal's players would no doubt have been watching on with interest as their title rivals City dropped points in a thriller with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening. The Toffees had looked on course for a stunning victory after coming from behind to take a 3-1 lead with nine minutes remaining, as Thierno Barry struck twice either side of Jake O'Brien's thumping header. Pep Guardiola's men dug deep and rescued a point from the contest, though, with Haaland finishing superbly before Jeremy Doku scored his second of the night in the seventh minute of stoppage time. City still have a game in hand over Arsenal, but Monday's result puts Arteta's side in the driving seat with a five-point advantage at the top ahead of their trip to West Ham this weekend.
