I'm an ex-Man City star – I believe David Raya is now almost as good as Ederson

Peter Schmeichel has admitted that he has been impressed by David Raya's performances for Arsenal this season, claiming he's almost in the same bracket at Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson

Peter Schmeichel believes that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is almost as good as his former club's elite shot-stopper, Ederson.

Raya was brought in on loan for the Gunners from Brentford for the 2023/24 season and ended up taking former keeper Aaron Ramsdale's starting position in the team, with the England man having now departed for Southampton.

He impressed and joined the north London club on a permanent basis for £27m this summer, and the Spaniard has since put in further impressive performances – including an incredible double save from a penalty in the Champions League away to Atalanta.

Ex-Manchester City goalie Schmeichel was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, when he lauded Raya's efforts in the Arsenal goal so far this season. He said: "Ederson is the best keeper in the Premier League. David Raya is coming close now too.

"He has really impressed me. Once he got established as Arsenal’s number one and that competition situation got out of the way and Aaron Ramsdale left, there was a different aura around him. He’s played well and has kept his team in a few games. He’s made some important saves. He has also eradicated all those mistakes that he made from having to be a good footballer.

"Against Tottenham, he passed the ball straight out to [Cristian] Romero. All those mistakes, I haven’t seen this season."

Ederson, who joined Schmeichel's former club City in 2017, has been an impressive No.1 for the club – winning multiple honours while playing for his country, Brazil, as well.

The 31-year-old is into his eighth season at City, having won six Premier Leagues, one Champions League, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup and one UEFA Super Cup.

In comparison, Raya is yet to win any domestic honours with Arsenal, but he has won the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024 with Spain in the last two years.

It remains to be seen if Raya will win the same amount of trophies at Arsenal than Ederson has at City, although if he continues to perform this way, then the Gunners' dream of a Premier League trophy might not be too far off.

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