According to rumours, David Raya will eventually become Mikel Arteta’s preferred player at Arsenal. Following his unexpected summer move, the Spaniard is anticipated to unseat Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates.
In August, Raya, a goalkeeper for Brentford, signed a loan agreement with Arsenal. At first, it was anticipated that he would sign a permanent contract worth about £30 million.
Instead, the Gunners paid Brentford a loan fee of £3 million and will have the option to purchase the 27-year-old for £27 million at the end of the current campaign. Raya hasn’t played for Arsenal yet after being an alternate in the last three Premier League games.
Last season, Ramsdale started every one of the 38 league games, and so far this year, he has maintained that trend. Raya’s presence generated questions about his long-term position at Arteta’s side, though.
Raya is currently Arteta’s long-term No. 1, according to the Mirror. It is rumored that it won’t be long before he gets the chance to make his claim.
The Carabao Cup match against his parent club later this month is when Raya is most likely to make his Arsenal debut. Raya is eligible to play for the Bees versus Brentford as long as the rules are followed.
Raya will want to leave a good impression on his Gunners bow, according to The Mirror, who claims they are likely to do so. There is reportedly a growing expectation that he would eventually replace Ramsdale as the top pick.
Ramsdale’s new deal with Arsenal was only finalized in May. The agreement binds him to the team through the summer of 2026, with an additional year’s option.
For a sum of up to £30 million, the England international transferred from Sheffield United to the Gunners in 2021. As Arteta’s top choice stopper, he swiftly took Bernd Leno’s job, but he can now find himself on the losing end of a similar situation.
Speaking in August, Arteta emphasized the necessity for competition in every position as she welcomed Raya’s birth. It’s nice to have two top-notch goalkeepers; there’s nothing wrong with it, he remarked.
We have two outstanding left wingers, two outstanding attackers, and two outstanding holding midfielders. As long as we have Jorginho, Thomas Party, and Declan Rice, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Additionally, he acknowledged that he lacked a No. 1, responding, “In any position? No. There isn’t for positions nine, seven, eleven, six, or goalie.