Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia says Arsenal star is ‘best in the world’ | Football

Barcelona star Joan Garcia believes that his Spanish counterpart David Raya is the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’.

Garcia earned his first senior call-ups to the Spanish national team for this month’s friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.

The Bara shotstopper, who attracted interest from Arsenal last summer, will look to provide competition with Raya, Unai Simon and Alex Remiro for the number one jersey in Luis de la Fuente’s side.

Currently, Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Simon is seen as the first choice by De La Fuente, starting throughout Spain’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

However, speaking at the national team training camp, Garcia argued that his teammate Raya is currently the world’s best in between the sticks after his super season at Arsenal.

‘Right now, I like David Raya,’ Garcia told El Larguero when asked who he thought was the best ‘keeper in the world at present.

‘He’s having a fantastic season in the Premier League.

‘He’s under immense pressure with set-pieces, his footwork… He’s playing at a very high level and I’m really enjoying watching him.’

Asked if there was a rivalry between himself and the other Spanish ‘keepers, Garcia added: ‘No, not at all. We’re four top-class goalkeepers and each of us will try to do our best. There’s nothing like that.

‘Regarding Unai Simon, I’d say that the calm and tranquility he exudes is very important. Unai does that.

‘As for Remiro, among many other things, I like how quick he is between the posts and with his feet. He’s very good too.

‘David Raya is very good with his feet and is a very brave goalkeeper who tries to help the team in any way he can.’

Prior to the international break, Raya watched from the bench as his Arsenal side suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup final.

Mikel Arteta opted to stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Wembley showpiece, a decision that was widely criticised after the Gunners second-choice ‘keeper made a mistake for City’s opening goal.

‘I know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya. That’s why he is the number two,’ Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports.

‘So why, in a major cup final when you’re trying to get across the line and you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him? You have to take responsibility for that. That is a monumental error.

‘He’s not a bad goalkeeper – he isn’t not as good as Raya. It has come back and backfired big time. That’s not me being wise after the event, I said it before the game.’

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