One of the Best Pieces of Business’ – Carragher Hails Arsenal’s Raya After Olympiakos Triumph

Carragher hails Arsenal’s Raya after Olympiakos win, calling him “one of the best pieces of business” and praising his world-class shot-stopping.

Jamie Carragher hails Arsenal’s Raya after the Gunners’ 2-0 Champions League win over Olympiakos, calling his signing “one of the best pieces of business” in recent years. The former Liverpool defender believes Raya is already proving to be a world-class goalkeeper for Mikel Arteta’s side.

While Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka scored the goals, Raya’s first-half heroics made the difference. In the 20th minute, he denied Daniel Podence with a spectacular save. As a result, Arsenal preserved their clean sheet and went on to record their sixth shutout of the season.

Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports, explained his view:

“This is one of the best pieces of business that Arsenal have done. He’s a real upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale. David Raya, for me, it’s between him and Alisson in the Premier League for the best goalkeeper. He’s certainly one of the best goalkeepers in the world and that’s why he keeps so many clean sheets.”

From Doubts to Dominance

Initially, Raya’s arrival sparked debate among supporters. However, his consistent displays have quickly silenced critics. Carragher now calls Mikel Arteta’s decision a masterstroke, and importantly, the Spaniard has become central to Arsenal’s defensive strength.

Arteta also praised Raya’s decisive moment, highlighting that the save came during a “sticky patch” when Olympiakos were threatening.

“We needed a big save from David in one action to keep the clean sheet,” Arteta admitted.

Arsenal’s Depth on Display

In addition to Raya’s performance, Arsenal’s depth was equally significant. Arteta rotated heavily, introducing Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Jurrien Timber. Consequently, the fresh legs ensured Arsenal maintained control before sealing the victory with Saka’s late strike.

“They know that they have a chance to play, to maybe make six changes and I want everybody to be a big part of that,” Arteta explained.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Champions League continues, and Raya’s growing reputation as a world-class goalkeeper strengthens their campaign. Carragher hails Arsenal’s Raya not just as a replacement for Ramsdale but as a genuine asset who could be decisive in the hunt for silverware.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.

All links on ArsenalTalks Shop are affiliate links. We may earn commissions that support our content—at no extra cost to you. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.