Gianluigi Donnarumma and David Raya central to Premier League title fight
Gianluigi Donnarumma and David Raya have emerged as pivotal figures in the Premier League title race as Manchester City and Arsenal battle for supremacy.
The significance of the goalkeeper has been thrust into the spotlight following contrasting fortunes for the title rivals throughout February.
While Manchester City’s number one produced a match-winning save at Anfield to secure two extra points, his Arsenal counterpart dropped crucial points against Wolves just days later.
Jamie Carragher believes these fleeting moments have defined the current state of the table entering the final months of the campaign.
“They gave us the title race we have now,” said the former Liverpool defender on Monday Night Football.
“That shows how important the role is right now and that is how important goalkeepers are in the title race.”
Title hopes rest on elite shot-stopping
History suggests that a championship-winning side requires a world-class presence in goal.
Chelsea legend John Terry famously estimated that Petr Cech earned his side up to 15 points a season during their dominant era.
Edwin van der Sar, a four-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, echoed this sentiment regarding the current battle at the top.
“You can’t win it without one,” the Dutchman explained.
“No matter how many good players you have, you need to have a capable guy between the sticks that wins you the game.”
Carragher went further, suggesting the position is the single most critical factor in securing the trophy.
“I don’t think you can win the title without a top goalkeeper, but you can win the title without a top-quality player in every other position,” he added.
Guardiola’s giant making the difference
Manchester City’s summer acquisition of Donnarumma appears to be paying dividends for Pep Guardiola.
The City boss has frequently praised the Italian’s imposing stature since his arrival at the Etihad.
That physical advantage was evident during the vital stop against Liverpool, a moment Van der Sar views as potentially season-defining.
“It’s an incredible save,” the former United goalkeeper analysed.
“We won’t know until the last game of the season in May if that’s a title-winning save.”
“He’s a big man and his reach is enormous, so goalkeepers with a larger frame have a little bit of an advantage.”
Statistically, the City shot-stopper boasts the second-best save percentage in the division this term.
He has also prevented nearly three goals more than the average goalkeeper would be expected to concede based on xG data.