Unlikely Arsenal star emerges as candidate for rare Ballon d’Or achievement

David Raya is the best shotstopper Arsenal have ever had – it’s no surprise he’s entered the Ballon d’Or conversation.

Only one goalkeeper has ever won the prestigious award in its history, with that being the iconic Lev Yashin in 1963.

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But with the Gunners on the brink of winning a historic double this season, their No.1 could well become a candidate.

Raya is going to win his third straight Premier League Golden Glove, having already kept 17 clean sheets in 35 games.

The Spaniard also has nine clean sheets in the Champions League during Arsenal’s unbeaten streak on their way to the final.

His teammate, Declan Rice, is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, alongside last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele.

However, could Raya pull off a huge shock and claim it if Arsenal go on to win the Premier League and Champions League?

The panel on the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Gooners discussed his chances, with host Nick Bright saying: “There have been some people saying that if we do the double, there’s a call for Raya to be considered for the Ballon d’Or.

“He’s got the Golden Glove again, or a share of at least…so, he’s been sensational for us since we brought him in.”

Journalist Simon Collings then weighed in on the debate, adding: “I’ve seen Peter Schmeichel has been banging the drum for Raya to win Player of the Year and I think that is a genuine shout.

“For consistency from him, he had one error against Wolves, but since then, he’s been very, very good. I think we also saw in the Carabao Cup final the drop-off from him and Kepa.

“For me, he’s been absolutely brilliant and his level, his standards are so high that it gets lost under the radar what he does.

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“Even last night [in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico], coming to get the ball and the calmness he gives.

“To win three Golden Gloves in a row…thinking back to when he joined and the uproar around Aaron Ramsdale, the way he’s come and delivered.

“He has to go down as one of the best signings the club has ever made.”

The best in the world

Despite that, Arsenal broadcaster Harry Symeou is against Raya winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or even if the Gunners succeed.

“I’m not for goalkeepers winning the Ballon d’Or,” Symeou stated. “I’m not a part of the goalkeeper’s union.

“But Raya’s consistency has been incredible and the thing I think that lets him down in terms of perception of him is he can be seen to play risky passes. That can make people nervous, some people groan in the stadium and that impacts the perception of him and the actual safe pair of hands that he is.

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“The passes he plays, he plays them as that’s the instruction, he plays that type of way as that’s what Arteta wants.

“Most goalkeepers would make a catalogue of errors trying to play that way, so to be able to do it and still be a wonderful shotstopper, it evidences that he’s one of, if not the best in the world.

“So, by default, Ballon d’Or talk is fine, but goalkeepers for me, I’m not having it.”

Arsenal’s greatest shotstopper

Ex-Arsenal defender Adrian Clarke didn’t take a stance on Raya winning the Ballon d’Or, but he did speak very highly of him.

Clarke said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt that Raya has saved Arsenal some points this season.

“I think he’s the best shotstopper I’ve seen in goal for Arsenal in my lifetime.

“David Seaman was an unbelievable goalkeeper, probably a better all-round goalkeeper at this stage.

“But in terms of shot-stopping, athleticism and producing these jaw-dropping moments, he’s the best I’ve seen.”

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