Joan Garcia has described David Raya as being at a "very high level", with the Arsenal goalkeeper’s strong season placing him firmly in Spain’s World Cup conversation.
David Raya has received an early World Cup year boost after fellow Spain goalkeeper Joan Garcia singled him out for praise, describing the Arsenal number one as one of the standout performers in his position this season. The comments come at a time when competition for places is intensifying in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, with Spain calling up four goalkeepers for this month’s friendlies against Serbia and Egypt as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup.
Garcia, speaking to El Larguero after his first senior Spain call-up, was asked who is the best goalkeeper at the moment, the Barcelona goalkeeper explained: “Right now, I like David Raya. 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.” The praise is notable given Garcia has now joined Raya, Unai Simón and Álex Remiro in a crowded Spain goalkeeping group.
It is easy to see why Raya has earned that recognition. The Arsenal goalkeeper leads the 2025/26 Premier League Golden Glove race with 15 clean sheets in 31 appearances, and he has also kept 21 clean sheets in 40 matches across all competitions this season. He is trying to complete a hat-trick of Golden Glove awards, a mark that would underline the consistency he has produced since establishing himself as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The wider Spain context is what gives Garcia’s remarks extra weight. Raya remains firmly in the international conversation, but Simón has long been de la Fuente’s established option when available and was back in goal for Spain’s Nations League quarter-final campaign against the Netherlands last year. Raya was in goal for Spain’s 2-1 win away to Denmark in November 2024, but the presence of Simón, Remiro and now Garcia means there is a genuine battle for places before the World Cup squad is finalised.
From an Arsenal perspective, Garcia’s praise is another sign of Raya’s standing beyond the Premier League. His reliability has been central to Arsenal’s season, and his form is clearly being noticed inside the Spain camp as well as in England.
Whether that is enough to dislodge Simón as Spain’s number one remains to be seen, but Garcia’s verdict reinforces the point that Raya is heading into the final months before the World Cup in strong shape and with his reputation intact.