Peter Schmeichel heaped praise on David Raya after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and picked out the goalkeeper as ‘essentially the most improved player’ within the Premier League.
The Gunners had looked on track to drop crucial points within the title race after Piero Hincapie directed the ball into his own net to cancel out William Saliba’s headed opener on the Emirates.
But Mikel Arteta’s men regrouped on the half-time break and once more found the breakthrough from a set-piece play within the 66th minute, with Jurrien Timber nodding Declan Rice’s corner beyond Robert Sanchez to revive the hosts’ advantage.
Raya made a string of superb saves to disclaim Chelsea, but arguably the best got here within the third minute of stoppage time because the Spaniard flew to his left to maintain out a goalbound cross-cum shot from substitute Alejandro Garnacho.
Several Arsenal players immediately went over to rejoice with Raya, who shooed his team-mates away to get set for the resulting corner, which ultimately got here to nothing.
Sunday’s result ensured the league leaders preserved their five-point lead over Manchester City at the highest ahead of their midweek trip to Brighton, where they are going to look to select up where they left off.
While Arsenal’s attack have received their justifiable share of criticism across the campaign, Arteta’s defence are widely credited with being the best within the country – and the stats are there to back it up, with the Gunners boasting the perfect record in the highest flight.
Your football fix
Metro‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy evaluation, transfer talk and his tackle the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
Join here, it’s an open goal.
Raya has been instrumental in Arsenal conceding just 22 goals of their 29 games and legendary ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Schmeichel had nothing but praise for the 30-year-old in his post-match evaluation.
‘I didn’t understand when he got here from Brentford, I didn’t understand because they’d Aaron Ramsdale here and Ramsdale was doing thoroughly,’ Schmeichel said on Viaplay.
‘I didn’t get it and I used to be very critical on the time: you may’t have two number ones, you’ve got select, why do you bring him in?
‘I feel he might be essentially the most improved player within the Premier League over the past two or three seasons.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an online
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Schmeichel got the possibility to inform Raya exactly what he considered his recent performances because the Spain international joined Viaplay’s punditry team on the pitch shortly after the ultimate whistle.
‘Without what you’ve done this season, you [Arsenal] wouldn’t be where you’re,’ Schmeichel told the previous Brentford shot-stopper.
‘And again, you proved that you just are probably the most vital players, not just for Arsenal but within the Premier League.
‘The saves you make, you make them at [important] times, you make them at times where you’re a lot under pressure.
‘I just want to present you that because I feel you’ve done absolutely implausible.’
On the praise he received from Schmeichel, Raya replied: ‘That’s implausible to listen to from you so thanks very much.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an online
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Freddie Ljungberg was similarly glowing along with his comments about Raya, while praising his former club for signing players they ‘need’ as a substitute of just big-name talent lately.
‘What Arsenal have done very well is that the buy players they need, not only a reputation,’ the ex-Arsenal and Sweden winger said.
‘With Raya and the way Arteta desires to play football, he works perfectly.
‘Possibly he’s not the tallest, the most important, 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 feel Arsenal have done very well, they buy what they need and not only the name.’
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 opposite end of the pitch.
The 1999 treble winner added: ‘All of the goals we’ve seen now, all of the pushing, shoving and pulling players down, I feel we want to get onto the referees and say: “This has got to stop!”
‘Now, each time it happens, give a goal kick or a free kick and begin over so we stop it.
‘That’s not the spirit of the sport, 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 once they return to Premier League motion away to Brighton in two days’ time.
Second-placed Manchester City welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad that very same night and can look to maintain themselves inside touching distance of the leaders after seeing off Leeds on the weekend.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Premier League delete tweet after mocking relegation strugglers Tottenham
MORE: Erling Haaland injury update issued by Pep Guardiola ahead of Man City vs Nottingham Forest
MORE: Alan Shearer makes Arsenal title claim after win over Chelsea