{"id":1179,"date":"2026-04-08T17:10:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T17:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1179"},"modified":"2026-04-08T17:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T17:10:34","slug":"i-disagree-totally-shay-given-shuts-down-bizarre-claim-about-arsenal-star-david-raya-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1179","title":{"rendered":"‘I disagree totally’ – Shay Given shuts down bizarre claim about Arsenal star David Raya | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
David Raya produced a fine 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 \u2018better 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 in the Premier League this season, producing a string of decisive performances to help the Gunners take a nine-point lead at the top.<\/p>\n

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

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

But 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 important saves to keep the scoreline level before Kai Havertz\u2019s breakthrough in the first minute of stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Shortly after the final whistle, Raya was handed the official Player of the\u00a0Match award for his contribution in the Portuguese capital, with Havertz later declaring his team-mate \u2018the best in the world\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 best in the world\u2019, according to Arsenal forward Havertz (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Havertz came on and scored the winner for the Gunners in Lisbon (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I think still underestimated in the world of football but, for me, the last two seasons, the best \u2018keeper in the world.<\/p>\n

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

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

\u2018He had two moments where he made two big saves. And that\u2019s the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there\u2019s so much quality here,\u2019 Arteta said.<\/p>\n

\u2018At the moment he\u2019s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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

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

\u2018In terms shot-stopping: very good, athletic. Does he make a fair number of good 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 think Caoimhin Kelleher is better in terms of his ball distribution.<\/p>\n

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

\u2018In terms of 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 think he goes into his shell a little bit when the opposition put players into the six-yard box and I don\u2019t think he dominates. I think 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 know is on the slide a little bit, to an extent. <\/p>\n

\u2018Caoimhin Kelleher, for me, is the better goalkeeper. You need to tell me what attribute in his (Raya) game is better than Caoimhin Kelleher in terms 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 in the studio by former Newcastle goalkeeper Given (Picture: Premier Sports Ireland)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

\u2018I\u2019m not sure you can compare Caoimhin Kelleher and David Raya. I\u2019m here to talk about David Raya because he played tonight,\u2019 the former Newcastle goalkeeper responded.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said this before the game and I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m right and he\u2019s (Cunningham) is wrong, I\u2019m just saying the performance tonight was absolutely brilliant. <\/p>\n

\u2018We talk about the save in the first half\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
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 very good save in the first half! That\u2019s it. That (the praise from Kai Havertz) is his team-mate there, blowing smoke.\u2019<\/p>\n

But according to Given, Raya\u2019s contribution this season is undoubtedly one of the key factors in Arsenal finding themselves in such a strong position in both the Premier League and Champions League.<\/p>\n

\u2018You speak to people who know about goalkeepers and ask them\u2026 I think he\u2019s one of the reasons they\u2019re nine points clear at the top of the Premier League,\u2019 Given explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018One of the reasons why they\u2019re probably one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League is because of David Raya as well. <\/p>\n

\u2018There are big games coming up around the corner over the next seven weeks and he\u2019ll play a huge 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 one of the springiest, he picks crosses up from lots of stuff that other goalkeepers don\u2019t come for. <\/p>\n

\u2018I disagree with that totally. There was one at the start 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 game so well. It\u2019s not just about shot-stopping, it\u2019s about decision-making, setting the tone of the game.<\/p>\n

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

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\n\t\t\"Italy's\t<\/div>
Cunningham was capped 72 times by the Republic of Ireland (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cunningham was not done there, though, insisting Raya remained in the bracket below the likes of Donnarumma and Courtois due to a lack of \u2018aura\u2019 and \u2018personality\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it is just in terms of the confidence. I think it\u2019s an aura, a personality, a presence,\u2019 he went on.<\/p>\n

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

\u2018I\u2019m talking particularly in terms of crosses coming into the box, corner kicks, long throw-ins, it\u2019s such an important part of the game.<\/p>\n

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

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

\u2018I think Donnarumma has struggled this year, 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 in the box and the physicality of it so I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good example.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think Donnarumma is a brilliant 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<\/svg>MORE: Manchester United legend Paul Scholes names the \u2018best team in the world\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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