Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has made his feelings crystal clear over who deserves to win the PFA Player of the Year award this season.
Former Man United captain Gary Neville backed Bruno Fernandes for the prestigious individual honour but Vieira had a different opinion.
He said (via Sky Sports): “Not at all. No.
“I will go with, of course, one of the Arsenal players. David Raya for me has to be the Player of the Season. I think he was outstanding from the first game until the end of the season, I think he was really impressive, he made some really important saves.
“He won points for Arsenal. For me, I don’t see any other players who were outstanding, I would say.
“We always go for forward or creative players. Why not a defender and why not a goalkeeper? I think David, for me, will have my vote.”
Sensational David Raya deserves recognition
Raya has produced an extraordinary campaign between the sticks, keeping 19 clean sheets in 37 league appearances.
The Spanish goalkeeper has repeatedly delivered breathtaking saves that directly earned crucial points for Arsenal throughout the title race.
While Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes have both enjoyed phenomenal seasons, Raya has arguably been the most decisive figure in the squad.
The 30-year-old has already secured a remarkable third consecutive Golden Glove award.
When Arsenal fans sit down to rewind their magical campaign, Raya’s standout save against Mateus Fernandes will come to the limelight.
Peter Schmeichel was the last goalkeeper to win the Player of the Year award back in the 1994/95 campaign.
More than three decades later, it is finally time for another goalkeeper to receive the recognition he truly deserves.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
