Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has lavished praise on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and admitted that the Spaniard has proven his criticism wrong.
With Arsenal playing with ten men in the second half following Leandro Trossard’s sending-off, Raya had to be at his best to keep a rampaging Manchester City at bay on Sunday.
Arsenal eventually conceded a late equaliser to only get a point from a game they were leading 2-1 since injury time in the first half. Still, it was Raya’s performance in goal that made sure that the Gunners got the draw at the Etihad.
The Spaniard made save after save from Manchester City shots and was eventually beaten in the eighth minute of injury time, which led to some slumped shoulders in the Arsenal team.
Hislop has been one of the Spaniard’s harshest critics but even he had to praise the virtuoso performance from the Arsenal number one.
Former Premier League goalkeeper praises the strength and composure of the Arsenal shot-stopper
He admitted that he has been critical of the Spaniard occasionally but conceded that Raya’s goalkeeping performance against the reigning Premier League champions was outstanding.
He picked out the save he made from a Josko Gvardiol shot for particular praise because of its difficulty as he must have seen the ball late before reacting.
Hislop was also happy to see Raya claiming crosses from corners, which he felt was a missing link in his goalkeeping armoury.
“I have to say this because I have probably been his harshest critic – David Raya was absolutely outstanding on the day”, the ex-goalkeeper said on ESPN FC.
“Everything that was asked of him – he made a save from Gvardiol that I thought was as good as you’ll see as it came around Ben White so he was unsighted.
“Just before City’s second goal he came and took a cross from a set-piece, which I didn’t think he had in his game.
“He looked so composed and strong.”
