Peter Schmeichel heaped praise on David Raya after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and picked out the goalkeeper as ‘the most improved player’ in the Premier League.

The Gunners had looked on course to drop crucial points in the title race after Piero Hincapie directed the ball into his own net to cancel out William Saliba’s headed opener at the Emirates.

But Mikel Arteta’s men regrouped at the half-time break and once again found the breakthrough from a corner in the 66th minute, with Jurrien Timber nodding Declan Rice’s cross beyond Robert Sanchez to restore the hosts’ advantage.

Raya made a string of fine saves to deny Chelsea, but arguably the finest came in the third minute of stoppage time as the Spaniard flew to his left to keep out a goalbound cross-cum shot from substitute Alejandro Garnacho.

Several Arsenal players immediately went over to celebrate with Raya, who shooed his team-mates away to get set for the resulting corner, which ultimately came to nothing.

Sunday’s result ensured the league leaders preserved their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top ahead of their midweek trip to Brighton, where they will look to pick up where they left off.