If David de Gea isn’t the world’s best goalkeeper, then the Manchester United man is certainly up there in the top three.

The twenty seven year old was in tremendous form once again yesterday as United defeated rivals Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates. That result secures United’s position as main title challengers in the Premier League table.

While the Gunners were poor defensively at times, and the away side punished them for that, they were sharp and exciting when they attacked the United goal.

In total Arsenal hit thirty-three shots and fifteen of those were on target, so Spanish number one De Gea had a very busy evening as he made fourteen saves!

Whether efforts were low, looping or hit with power De Gea was there to keep the majority of them out.

A standout moment was when French hitman Alexandre Lacazette controlled the ball inside the Man Utd penalty area and drove his low shot in at goal. It was well struck and seemed destined to give his side an equaliser, yet David got down and clawed the ball back away from his goal-line. If that superb save wasn’t enough, the rebound headed towards Alexis Sanchez but before the Chilean could execute the finish De Gea was up again as quickly as a cat and cleared the ball with his right leg, in a wonderful challenge come save!

Before that United’s number one had to react brilliantly with a one handed effort that saved United striker Romelu Lukaku’s blushes when the hitman saw the ball spin off him towards his own net. It was an instant reaction to an unexpected situation and that is the difference between a good and a great goalie.

In those incidents, the Spaniard proved why so many insist he’s a top class goalie. It’s all about fine shot-stopping, determination, awesome reaction/reflexes and faultless concentration levels.

When Arsenal finally breached the Red Devils goal it was with two of their attackers getting in behind the United defence and coming up against an unprotected Man United goalkeeper.

So far this term no English top flight side has conceded less that Manchester Utd’s nine strikes. that is testament to their terrific keeper, the defence and manager Jose Mourinho’s approach.

Having David de Gea playing in between the sticks gives the defence confidence, as they know they have a world class performer playing in behind them and that he alone can save games and win points. That confidence seems to get the defence focused and playing with good intent.

Mourinho knows that by having a reliable goalkeeper, he can change his defensive tactics and that it won’t phase his keeper in anyway.

Mourinho and his opposite number, Arsene Wenger, rarely agree on anything but yesterday they were in full agreement that De Gea produced a fantastic match winning performance.

Jose stated:

“I told De Gea after the match, what I saw today was the best from a goalkeeper in the world.”

While Wenger had this to say:

“Their keeper as well had an outstanding game.”

Next weekend the immovable object comes up against the unstoppable force as second placed Man United host Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders Manchester City at Old Trafford.

If Jose Mourinho’s men are to close the gap on neighbours, then you’ve got to expect a wonderful performance from their goalkeeper. At least with David de Gea in their goal, they stand a chance of keeping out City’s majestic forwards out!

Posted on December 3rd, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article