Chelsea and Arsenal stars among Premier League's shot stopping supremos
With Premier League returning on Saturday after the last international break of the season, we run through the best shotstoppers so far this season, taking a look at the goalkeepers with the best save success rates of those to make at least 15 appearances.
Starting the list is the shotstopper with the joint most clean sheets (12) in the Premier League so far this season. Newcastle have had a mixed start to 2023, only winning three league games, but still have the best defensive record in the league and one of the best in Europe’s top five leagues, having only conceded 19 goals in 26 games. While they have a solid defensive unit, Nick Pope has been vital when called upon, as noted by his save success rate of 68.2%.
With a 70.4% save success rate having saved 69 of the 98 shots he has faced, West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski ranks ninth. The Hammers may find themselves in the relegation zone with 12 games remaining to retain their Premier League status, but defensively they have a record that only six teams can better, conceding just 34 goals, with problems finding the net proving their biggest downfall. Fabianski’s influence in goal has played a big part in their solid backline, emphasised in the two league games he has missed this season where David Moyes’ side conceded 14.7% of their total conceded goals in the league this season.
It has been a difficult few weeks for Tottenham for a number of reasons, but on the pitch one of the main negatives has been the loss of a number of key players due to injury. Last month, one of those injured was captain Hugo Lloris. Though the World Cup winner is likely to be back before the end of the season, the business end of the season is where every point counts in the race for a top four finish. A save success rate of 70.5% underlines how key Lloris has been in key moments to prevent his side from conceding, saving 67 of the 95 shots he has faced.
The player with the fewest appearances on this list is Bournemouth’s Neto. After missing a chunk of the season with a hamstring injury, Neto’s presence has been missed for a Cherries side that has for the most part struggled this season. While his side have conceded the most goals (54) in the league this season, 55.6% of them have come in games he has missed, including the 9-0 loss to Liverpool. He has saved 70.8% of the 89 shots he has faced, highlighting his impact when he has been the man chosen to feature between the sticks, and that saw him rewarded with a contract extension recently.
Chelsea, like their London rivals Tottenham, have suffered a number injuries to key men this season, and though Edouard Mendy is one of those who has endured a spell on the sidelines, his presence hasn’t been as missed, thanks in part to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s impact in goal. Kepa boasts a 71.6% save success rate this season, which has helped the Blues in only conceding 28 league goals this season, the third fewest, and potentially himself in consolidating the number one spot at Stamford Bridge.
Featuring in fifth with a 72.4% save success rate is Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita. The former Valencia shotstopper has been a revelation for Palace in a mixed season. He has faced 116 shots and has managed to save 84 of them, playing a big role in helping the south London side in their battle to beat the drop.
From south London to north London as league leaders’ number one Aaron Ramsdale is the next goalkeeper to make the cut. Arsenal have the third best defensive record in the league and while only Manchester City (7.5) concede fewer shots per game than Mikel Arteta’s side (8.3), there have been a number of moments when Ramsdale has been needed to make a vital stops. Acting as the unsung hero in the Gunners' superb season, the England international boasts a save success rate of 72.5%.
Beginning the top three is Fulham’s Bernd Leno. The Cottagers have made a number of positive signings this season, none more so than Leno, and with seven clean sheets to his name and one of two goalkeepers to have made in excess of 100 saves in the league this season, it’s clear to see why he has been one of their best captures. With a European place up for grabs, if Leno continues his form, which has seen him return a 73.5% save success rate, then European football could return to Craven Cottage.
Arguably one of the Premier League’s best shotstoppers since his arrival, Liverpool’s Alisson secures second place with a save success rate of 73.8%. The Reds have not looked their usual selves this season and 107 shots conceded tells part of that story, but thanks to Brazil’s main man between the sticks, he has helped Jurgen Klopp’s side to concede just 29 goals.
Topping the list is Brentford’s Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. While Ivan Toney’s rise up the Premier League goalscoring charts this season has drawn the attention, the Bees may not be where they currently are without Raya. Brentford on average have conceded the third most shots per game (14.6) in the Premeir League this season, but the 27-year-old has been more than up for the task, making the most saves (108) and returning the best save success rate (74.5%) in the Premier League this season.
