Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has continued to attract widespread praise following his impressive performances at the start of the 2026/27 campaign, with legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reportedly placing the Spaniard among the very best goalkeepers in world football.
The claim has generated significant discussion among supporters because Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. During his legendary career, the former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper faced some of the best shot-stoppers of several generations, making his assessment of the modern position particularly interesting.
Raya’s recent performances have certainly strengthened the argument that he belongs in the conversation among the world’s elite goalkeepers.
The Arsenal goalkeeper has been one of the most reliable members of Mikel Arteta’s side, producing important saves while also demonstrating the confidence and composure required to play behind a high defensive line.
Raya’s remarkable start to the season
Raya’s statistics at the beginning of the new campaign underline his importance to Arsenal.
According to FBref’s current 2026/27 match data, Raya has started six matches across the Community Shield, Premier League and Champions League, conceding only one goal while making 13 saves. He has also recorded five clean sheets, with a save percentage of 92.9% across those appearances.
Those numbers are particularly impressive considering the level of opposition Arsenal have faced.
Raya kept a clean sheet against Manchester City in the Community Shield, followed that with another shutout against Coventry City, and then helped Arsenal defeat Aston Villa without conceding.
He also produced an important performance against Chelsea before keeping Napoli and Sunderland from scoring.
His performance against Sunderland was arguably one of his most important displays of the campaign so far.
Penalty save against Sunderland
Arsenal travelled to Sunderland on September 12 and returned to London with a 2-0 victory, but the match could have taken a completely different direction.
Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Ezri Konsa was judged to have fouled Dan Ballard. Enzo Le Fée stepped forward to take responsibility from the penalty spot.
Raya, however, produced the decisive moment.
The Arsenal goalkeeper saved Le Fée’s penalty, pushing the ball onto the post and preventing Sunderland from equalising. Arsenal eventually secured a 2-0 victory, with Bruno Guimarães and Bukayo Saka providing the goals. Reuters reported that Raya’s penalty save was an important moment in Arsenal’s victory.
The performance also received strong individual praise, with The Sun rating Raya 9/10 and highlighting the penalty save as well as another important stop later in the match.
For a goalkeeper, these are the moments that can change the course of a season.
More than just a shot-stopper
One of the reasons Raya has become so important to Arteta is that his responsibilities extend beyond making saves.
Modern football has transformed the role of the goalkeeper. A goalkeeper playing for a possession-based team is expected to participate in the build-up, make intelligent decisions under pressure and provide an additional passing option for defenders.
Raya has demonstrated those qualities repeatedly since becoming Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
His confidence with the ball allows Arsenal’s defenders to maintain their structure when opponents attempt to press high. Instead of simply clearing the ball whenever pressure arrives, Raya can remain composed and look for passing options.
That ability fits perfectly into Arteta’s football philosophy.
Buffon’s perspective
If the claim attributed to Buffon were made publicly, it would carry considerable weight because of his experience at the highest level.
Buffon spent decades competing against elite forwards and studying world-class goalkeepers. His career included major Champions League matches, World Cups, domestic title races and international tournaments.
That experience gives him a unique perspective when evaluating what makes a goalkeeper exceptional.
The hypothetical assessment of Raya as the world’s best would therefore represent recognition of several areas of his game rather than simply his number of clean sheets.
Raya’s positioning, reflexes, distribution, decision-making and penalty-saving ability have all contributed to his growing reputation.
Arsenal’s defensive structure
Another factor behind Raya’s success is Arsenal’s defensive organisation.
The goalkeeper does not operate independently. The work of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal’s midfielders has helped create a system that limits opponents’ opportunities.
However, Raya’s individual interventions have also been important when Arsenal’s defensive structure has been breached.
The best goalkeepers are often judged by what happens during those moments.
A team can dominate possession and prevent opponents from creating chances, but eventually an attacker may find space. When that happens, the goalkeeper must be ready.
Raya has repeatedly demonstrated that he can provide Arsenal with that final line of protection.
Champions League performances
Raya’s European performances have also strengthened his reputation.
Arsenal defeated Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League, with Raya keeping another clean sheet. FBref records three shots on target against him in that match, all of which he saved.
Champions League football places a different level of pressure on goalkeepers because even a single mistake can decide a match.
Raya’s ability to remain composed against experienced European opponents is therefore another positive aspect of his development.
The competition among the world’s best
The goalkeeper position currently contains several outstanding players.
Thibaut Courtois, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alisson Becker, Emiliano Martínez and other established names continue to compete for recognition at the highest level.
Indeed, Buffon himself was previously quoted by ESPN as describing Donnarumma as the world’s best goalkeeper during the 2024/25 season.
That makes any later claim putting Raya at the top especially significant if such a statement were confirmed.
Rather than focusing solely on reputation, Raya’s current form provides a statistical basis for his inclusion in the conversation.
Arteta’s trust in Raya
Arteta has shown significant trust in the Spaniard.
The manager’s system demands that the goalkeeper be comfortable taking responsibility, particularly when Arsenal build from the back.
Raya has responded by becoming an increasingly influential figure.
His performances have also helped Arsenal maintain an extremely strong defensive record. At the beginning of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, Arsenal had conceded only once in their first four league matches, while Raya had kept three league clean sheets.
That consistency is one of the strongest arguments supporting his growing reputation.
A goalkeeper entering his prime
At 31 years old, Raya is also entering an important stage of his career.
Goalkeepers can often maintain their highest level for longer than outfield players, meaning Arsenal could benefit from Raya’s experience for several more seasons.
His confidence, understanding of the Premier League and familiarity with Arteta’s tactical demands could make him even more valuable as Arsenal continue competing domestically and in Europe.
The biggest challenge will be maintaining this level throughout an entire campaign.
Final verdict
David Raya’s recent performances have placed him firmly among the goalkeepers attracting global attention.
His penalty save against Sunderland, clean sheet against Napoli and excellent overall statistics have provided strong evidence of his current form.
Whether he should actually be considered the best goalkeeper in the world remains a matter of opinion, especially given the quality of competitors such as Courtois, Donnarumma, Alisson and Martínez.
But if Buffon’s reported assessment that Raya is currently the world’s best were to be confirmed, it would represent a remarkable endorsement from one of football’s most celebrated goalkeeping figures.
For Arsenal supporters, the most important fact is simpler: Raya is currently performing at an extremely high level, and his saves could prove crucial as the Gunners pursue their ambitions across the Premier League and Champions League.
