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Peter Schmeichel doesn’t think David Raya is good enough for Arsenal

Premier League legend Peter Schmeichel was asked to rank some of the league’s best keepers including David Raya, Alisson and Ederson.

Schmeichel was one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his days, and won multiple titles with Manchester United. The former Danish international was asked to rank between Manchester City’s Ederson, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, Liverpool’s Alisson and Arsenal’s David Raya.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a firm believer in his number one, and praised the Spanish keeper for his heroics against Atalanta in the Champions League:

“Certainly last year was already very impressive. Even with that different context for sure. This season he’s been exceptional. The save he made against Villa and today kept us in the game. You need that from a goalkeeper at this level. I’m really happy he’s in that form at the moment.”

Raya saved a penalty and kept Arsenal in the game for most of the second half when they were under pressure. He pulled out a similar performance days later to get a result against Manchester City.

David Raya is close, but not there yet – Peter Schmeichel

Schmeichel was asked to choose between some of the Premier League’s best keepers on the Stick to Football podcast. The former Man United keeper picked Ederson as the best, and chose Emi Martinez and David Raya just behind him.

The former Danish international explained to Gary Neville on the podcast, the reasons for his selections.

Neville: “Looking at goalkeepers now in the Premier League that you think ‘I think he is the best at his job’, who is it?”

Schmeichel: “Ederson.”

Neville: “Is Ederson the best? Why not Martinez or Alisson?”

Schmeichel: “I think Raya is coming close now. He’s really impressed me. I think once he got established as Arsenal’s number 1 and that sort of competition situation got out of the way, especially after Ramsdale left, there is a different aura around him.

“I think he has actively played well, he’s kept his team in a few games, made some really important saves, but also he has eradicated a lot of those mistakes he made from having to be a good footballer. I’ve not seen that this season.”

Liverpool’s Alisson has some work to do to improve

The former Man United stopper also spoke on Liverpool keeper Alisson, pointing out his weaknesses in recent seasons. He also mentioned why he did not put the Brazilian above Raya and Martinez.

“I think Alisson, in terms of one-on-one and making really big saves, I think he’s fantastic.”

Neville: “I thought you would go Alisson because of the fact that I see more of Alisson in you than I see Ederson in you.”

Schmeichel: “I think Alisson struggles a bit with his feet, I think that’s the few mistakes you don’t see from Ederson. That’s the only thing.

“Martinez. He has proven Arsenal wrong for sure, and I think he is helping that team a lot. Will he be able to do the job at Man City? To be honest I don’t know, but he is a winner and he is getting there as well.”

Despite not being named the best keeper in the league by Schmeichel, Raya is currently the Premier League Golden Glove holder and was in the Team of the Season last year.