{"id":315421,"date":"2026-04-08T17:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=315421"},"modified":"2026-04-08T17:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:00:21","slug":"i-disagree-totally-shay-given-shuts-down-bizarre-claim-about-arsenal-star-david-raya-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/i-disagree-totally-shay-given-shuts-down-bizarre-claim-about-arsenal-star-david-raya-football\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I disagree totally’ – Shay Given shuts down bizarre claim about Arsenal star David Raya | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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David Raya produced a high quality goalkeeping display in Arsenal\u2019s win over Sporting (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shay Given was quick to shut down a surprising claim that Caoimhin Kelleher was a \u2018higher goalkeeper\u2019 than David Raya after the Spaniard\u2019s man-of-the-match display in Arsenal\u2019s victory over Sporting.<\/p>\n

Raya is widely considered to have been the standout goalkeeper within the Premier League this season, producing a string of decisive performances to assist the Gunners take a nine-point lead at the highest.<\/p>\n

The Gunners have shipped just 22 goals within the English top flight and the Spain international has been instrumental within the side\u2019s defensive rigidity, playing each minute with only seven matches remaining of the campaign.<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta decided to rest Raya for 2 major setbacks within the Carabao Cup and FA Cup prior to Arsenal\u2019s trip to Lisbon \u2013 and his absence was felt because the north Londoners\u2019 quadruple hopes went up in smoke.<\/p>\n

However the 30-year-old was restored to Arteta\u2019s starting XI for Arsenal\u2019s Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night and produced three necessary saves to maintain the scoreline level before Kai Havertz\u2019s breakthrough in the primary minute of stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Shortly after the ultimate whistle, Raya was handed the official Player of the\u00a0Match award for his contribution within the Portuguese capital, with Havertz later declaring his team-mate \u2018the very best on the planet\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s unbelievable,\u2019 the German told Amazon Prime when asked about Raya\u2019s showing between the sticks.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Raya is \u2018the very best on the planet\u2019, in line with Arsenal forward Havertz (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Havertz got here on and scored the winner for the Gunners in Lisbon (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I feel still underestimated on the planet of football but, for me, the last two seasons, the very best \u2018keeper on the planet.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s outstanding, he\u2019s saved us so again and again and we\u2019re very glad to have him.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arteta was also glowing along with his praise, admitting Arsenal were \u2018very lucky\u2019 to have such an \u2018extraordinary\u2019 goalkeeper of their ranks.<\/p>\n

\u2018He had two moments where he made two big saves. And that\u2019s the Champions League, the Champions League is at all times decided within the boxes and since there\u2019s a lot quality here,\u2019 Arteta said.<\/p>\n

\u2018In the mean time he\u2019s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We’re very lucky to have him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Nonetheless, it appears Raya continues to be yet to completely win over all fans and pundits, with Kenny Cunningham picking out what he felt was a \u2018small weakness\u2019 within the Spaniard\u2019s game on Premier Sports Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The ex-Republic of Ireland, Wimbledon and Birmingham defender raised eyebrows along with his daring assertion that Brentford\u2019s Kelleher was the higher goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

\u2018In terms shot-stopping: excellent, athletic. Does he make a good number of excellent quality saves? Yeah, absolutely,\u2019 Cunninham said shortly after Arsenal\u2019s 1-0 win.<\/p>\n

\u2018Decent with the ball at his feet, yeah. I feel Caoimhin Kelleher is healthier by way of his ball distribution.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Shamrock\t<\/div>
Kelleher is a greater all-round \u2018keeper than Raya, says Cunningham (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018When it comes to coming off his line and dominating the box, the six-yard box and beyond, and really imposing himself, I don\u2019t think he does it often enough.<\/p>\n

\u2018I feel he goes into his shell somewhat bit when the opposition put players into the six-yard box and I don\u2019t think he dominates. I feel that\u2019s the small weakness in his game.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s why I don\u2019t put him up with the likes of [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, [Thibaut] Courtois\u2026 Alisson we all know is on the slide somewhat bit, to an extent. <\/p>\n

\u2018Caoimhin Kelleher, for me, is the higher goalkeeper. You must tell me what attribute in his [Raya] game is healthier than Caoimhin Kelleher by way of his shot-stopping, his distribution and his ability to command his box.<\/p>\n

\u2018Where does he get the advantage on Caoimhin Kelleher? Those three facets.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Cunningham was joined within the studio by former Newcastle goalkeeper Given (Picture: Premier Sports Ireland)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shay Given, sat alongside Cunningham within the Premier Sports Ireland<\/a> studio, made it clear he disagreed along with his fellow countryman\u2019s remarks about Raya.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m unsure you may compare Caoimhin Kelleher and David Raya. I\u2019m here to speak about David Raya because he played tonight,\u2019 the previous Newcastle goalkeeper responded.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said this before the sport and I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m right and he\u2019s [Cunningham] is incorrect, I\u2019m just saying the performance tonight was absolutely good. <\/p>\n

\u2018We talk in regards to the save in the primary half\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

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Given hit back at Cunningham\u2019s \u2018harsh\u2019 criticism of Raya (Picture: Premier Sports Ireland)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before Given could finish his sentence, Cunningham cut in: \u2018One save, one excellent save in the primary half! That\u2019s it. That [the praise from Kai Havertz] is his team-mate there, blowing smoke.\u2019<\/p>\n

But in line with Given, Raya\u2019s contribution this season is undoubtedly considered one of the important thing aspects in Arsenal finding themselves in such a powerful position in each the Premier League and Champions League.<\/p>\n

\u2018You speak to individuals who learn about goalkeepers and ask them\u2026 I feel he\u2019s considered one of the explanations they\u2019re nine points clear at the highest of the Premier League,\u2019 Given explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018One among the the explanation why they\u2019re probably one foot within the semi-finals of the Champions League is due to David Raya as well. <\/p>\n

\u2018There are big games coming up across the corner over the subsequent seven weeks and he\u2019ll play an enormous part in what they\u2019re going to succeed with.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Raya went home with the Player Of The Match award (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Cunningham\u2019s claims that dominating the box was a \u2018weakness\u2019 for Raya, Given added: \u2018I disagree with that as well. He\u2019s considered one of the springiest, he picks crosses up from plenty of stuff that other goalkeepers don\u2019t come for. <\/p>\n

\u2018I disagree with that absolutely. There was one initially of the second half, he was on the halfway line, out for a header.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s a sweeper \u2018keeper, he\u2019s on the front foot and he reads the sport so well. It\u2019s not nearly shot-stopping, it\u2019s about decision-making, setting the tone of the sport.<\/p>\n

\u2018As a goalkeeper, he does every part.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Cunningham was capped 72 times by the Republic of Ireland (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cunningham was not done there, though, insisting Raya remained within the bracket below the likes of Donnarumma and Courtois attributable to an absence of \u2018aura\u2019 and \u2018personality\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018I feel it’s just by way of the boldness. I feel it\u2019s an aura, a personality, a presence,\u2019 he went on.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s difficult to place your finger on it. Hopefully I\u2019m supplying you with an understanding of what I\u2019m talking about. <\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m talking particularly by way of crosses coming into the box, corner kicks, long throw-ins, it\u2019s such a crucial a part of the sport.<\/p>\n

\u2018Those other goalkeepers that you simply\u2019re speaking about [Donnarumma and Courtois], for me, are ones who take responsibility.\u2019<\/p>\n

But again, Given hit back, declaring how Donnarumma was a poor example to make use of based on a few of the Italian\u2019s performances for Manchester City this season.<\/p>\n

\u2018I feel Donnarumma has struggled this yr, at times, with balls into the box and crosses into the box,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s getting involved in fighting people and punching at stuff, flapping at things when balls are within the box and the physicality of it so I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a very good example.<\/p>\n

\u2018I feel Donnarumma is an excellent goalkeeper, I just think you\u2019re being extremely harsh [on Raya], to say the least.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Manchester United legend Paul Scholes names the \u2018best team on the planet\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Jamie Carragher makes worrying Arsenal title claim after Champions League win<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Thierry Henry makes Arsenal Champions League claim and highlights biggest weakness<\/span><\/p>\n

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