1. Manuel Neuer (29) - Bayern Munich and Germany
It was something of a topsy-turvy evening for the giant German as his Bayern side suffered their first defeat of the season at the Emirates Stadium.
In a display of the extremes felt by all goalkeepers at some point, Neuer showed breath-taking reflexes to keep out Theo Walcott’s header, setting social media aflame, before misjudging a relatively simple delivery into the box to gift Olivier Giroud the opening goal.
But despite this, Neuer remains the world’s best goalkeeper. His reactions are almost feline, his shot-stopping abilities second to none.
Manuel Neuer's heroics kept Pep Guardiola's side level as they went into half-time at 0-0 against Arsenal
What also impresses in a Bayern side that is completely dominant in the majority of matches, is his concentration. Neuer may be redundant for 90 minutes, then pull off the match-saving block.
A serial champion for both club and country - the pinnacle being Germany’s World Cup win last year - Neuer has also redefined the one position on a football field it is almost impossible to redefine with his ‘sweeper-keeper’ style.
The fact Neuer was the only keeper to make the long-list for the Ballon d’Or this week is also testament to the esteem in which he is held by the footballing fraternity.
The Germany goalkeeper tops our list after continuing to produce stunning performance for club and country
2. Thibaut Courtois (23) - Chelsea and Belgium
It is unfortunate that a serious knee injury has stalled the development of Courtois for a few months but the 23-year-old remains one of the finest stoppers in the world today.
Chelsea were very shrewd in loaning the Belgian out to Atletico Madrid to allow more regular first-team football, plus exposure to important matches in the Champions League and title run-ins.
Having established himself as a central pillar in Atletico’s recent success both at home and abroad, Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge with nous and ability well beyond his young years.
Thibaut Courtois is sidelined with a serious knee injury but he remains one of the finest goalkeepers
3. David de Gea (24) - Manchester United and Spain
The relief felt at Old Trafford when De Gea made the decision to stay with Manchester United in the summer, rebuffing the advances of Real Madrid to sign a four-year contract, proved just how vital he is to them.
Still only 24, De Gea has risen quickly in the pantheon of keepers and you only have to watch a compilation of his improbable saves and blocks to see why.
Without doubt the long-term Spain No 1 - and probably Real Madrid’s eventually as well - De Gea often single-handedly won United points last season and with doubt over his future removed, he has continued in that rich vein of form this term.
David de Gea made a shock U-turn to remain at Manchester United and he has continued to impress
Still only 24, De Gea, pictured in the 3-0 victory over Everton, has risen quickly in the pantheon of keepers
4. Joe Hart (28) - Manchester City and England
England’s undisputed No 1 will again have the hopes of a nation on those broad shoulders at the European Championship next summer.
Before then, it’s the day-to-day business of keeping Manchester City at the top of the table in the Premier League and making that long-awaited breakthrough in the Champions League with his top class shot-stopping skills.
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is England's undisputed No 1 with his top-class shot-stopping skills
5. Hugo Lloris (28) - Tottenham Hotspur and France
The Frenchman was Manchester United’s go-to signing had David de Gea decided to leave in the summer and there would have been few complaints from the Old Trafford faithful.
But Lloris remains at Spurs, bringing his impressive array of reflex saves and command of the penalty area to bear as Mauricio Pochettino’s team continue to try and break into the top four.
Captain of his national team, Lloris will be integral to French hopes of winning the European Championship in their own backyard next summer.
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