15 August 2023 , 13:00
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Arsenal have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper David Raya in a move that many feel puts Aaron Ramsdale's long-term future at the club in doubt.
The deal to bring Raya to the Emirates is initially a season-long loan worth £3million, but includes a £27m option-to-buy clause that Arsenal are expected to activate. The Spain international signed a new two-year contract with Brentford before joining the Gunners, and the Bees have the option of extending this by 12 months.
Initially, Arsenal's local rivals Tottenham were expected to land his signature but failed to reach an agreement with Thomas Frank's side. Bayern Munich also registered interest, but it is believed that Raya has long had his heart set on a switch to the Emirates.
There had been an initial hope that the deal could be confirmed in time for the shot-stopper to be named in the Arsenal matchday squad for their first game of the new Premier League season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
However, the complications of a loan with an option-to-buy contract are held up official confirmation. While he was not an Arsenal player in time to feature, Raya was present at the Emirates for the clash, much like he was in attendance at Wembley for the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City earlier this month.
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Raya has since provided his first interview as an Arsenal player and claimed: “I’m over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up.
"I’m really excited to get going and see how the season ends up. I spoke to the boss and he sent me the values of what Arsenal are about. The way that the club is going, it’s growing even more so it is a beautiful challenge to take and I couldn’t say no."
News of Raya joining the Gunners has led to widespread confusion among fans and pundits alike, who have questioned why Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opted to sign another top-class goalkeeper given Ramsdale is the current first-choice.
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David Raya (middle) with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (left) and sporting director Edu (right)The England international has undeniably been a successful signing since joining from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021, but will now see his place come under serious threat.
It is unlikely that Raya comes in and lines up between the sticks straight away, but the move to land the Spaniard's signature would suggest Arteta wants significant improvement in his goalkeeping department.
Either Raya joins and ousts Ramsdale from his starting spot, which means he'll have taken to life at Arsenal seamlessly, or Ramsdale raises his game to such a level Raya can't get in the side - either way, Arteta wins.
The Gunners boss effectively said as much last Friday, telling reporters: "That’s what we’ve been trying to do. Increase the depth of the squad and the quality as well, the ability to be more flexible and have more quality and more interactions with players that can make us better. That’s the whole point of it."
Following confirmation of the move, sporting director Edu added: "We welcome David to us on a season-long loan from Brentford.
"David is a top-quality goalkeeper, who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League. With David joining us we are adding quality and depth to our squad so we can perform at the highest possible level in all competitions."
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Raya's arrival sees the 27-year-old reunite with Inaki Cana, Arsenal's goalkeeping coach that spent plenty of time with the Gunners' newest addition during their shared spell at Brentford. Gunners fans will be well aware that links to the 'keeper first appeared in 2021 before Ramsdale signed.