{"id":27499,"date":"2026-05-21T16:19:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/27499\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:19:10","slug":"spain-manager-claims-arsenal-have-a-player-whos-so-underrated-its-unfair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/27499\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain manager claims Arsenal have a player who’s so underrated it’s ‘unfair’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

Spain manager Luis De La Fuente has heaped praise on one Arsenal player expected to be named in his World Cup squad.<\/p>\n

De La Fuente is set to announce his squad on Monday 25 May, and could name as many as four Arsenal players.<\/p>\n

Martin Zubimendi<\/a> has been a key figure in the Gunners\u2019 title-winning midfield, while Mikel Merino<\/a> has just returned to training after four months out with a foot injury, making a late push for inclusion.<\/p>\n

They also have David Raya<\/a>, of course, who won the Premier League Golden Glove for the third consecutive season, and is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in England<\/a>.<\/p>\n

TRUE or FALSE: David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world\u2026 <\/p>\n

\"RayaCredit: Alex Pantling \u2013 UEFA\/UEFA via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Speaking on Mario\u2019s Path<\/a>, the podcast hosted by former Spain midfielder Mario Suarez, De La Fuente heaped praise on the Arsenal goalkeeper. <\/p>\n

\u201cPeople only talk about Joan Garc\u00eda and Unai [Simon], and David Raya is the least-conceding goalkeeper in Europe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s tragic is that people don\u2019t talk about David Raya out of ignorance. That\u2019s the real problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can debate liking one goalkeeper more than another. I\u2019ve said in interviews that, in my opinion, six of the ten best goalkeepers in the world are Spanish. <\/p>\n

\u201cUnai Simon, the ones at Madrid, the ones with us. David Raya, Alex Remiro, Joan Garcia and Robert Sanchez.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notably, he doesn\u2019t mention Kepa Arrizabalaga, also of Arsenal. His inclusion in the squad is highly unlikely, given the fact he hasn\u2019t featured for Spain since 2023.<\/p>\n

Spain manager says David Raya is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world<\/p>\n

De La Fuente went further on Raya, placing him firmly among the world\u2019s elite. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s unfair that David isn\u2019t recognised for the footballing ability he has. Because, in my opinion, he\u2019s one of the five best goalkeepers in the world. Yes, absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who is the better goalkeeper right now \u2013 Joan Garcia or David Raya? <\/p>\n

\"SplitCredit: Getty Images\/Jose Breton\/Pics Action\/NurPhoto\/Matt McNulty <\/p>\n

All that praise, but Unai Simon of Athletic Bilbao has long been the number one, with Barcelona\u2019s Joan Garcia \u2014 who was wanted by Arsenal last summer<\/a> \u2014 also ahead of Raya in the pecking order.<\/p>\n

But given Raya\u2019s standout performances for Arsenal this season<\/a>, De La Fuente will need to rethink that for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Join Our Newsletter<\/p>\n

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