David Raya has been a sensational signing for Arsenal in the 23/24 season. The Spanish goalkeeper arrived at Arsenal from the PL side Brentford on a 1-year loan deal with a buy option.
The 28-year-old has been so good that he has displaced the established number goalkeeper from the previous season, Aaron Ramsdale, from his position. Arsenal are very happy with Raya’s performance and look to reward him before the start of the next season.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Spaniard is set to become a permanent player for ‘The Gunners.’ Arsenal will pay around $33 million to secure the services of David Raya from Brentford. The deal has been verbally agreed between the parties and is pending official confirmation.
This comes at a time when David Raya has been confirmed as the winner of the Golden Glove award winner for the 23/24 season. The Spaniard has won the trophy after Everton’s Jordan Pickford conceded a goal against Luton Town in a 1-1 draw. David Raya has now taken an unassailable lead of 15 clean sheets, to clinch his first PL golden glove.
Mikel Arteta looks satisfied with David Raya’s performances
Such performances have really convinced the Arsenal hierarchy that their idea of going for the Brentford keeper was indeed the right one. The Spaniard has been a rock at the back and is a prime reason for Arsenal being in the PL title race. Apart from his shot-stopping qualities, it is his composure on the ball that suits Arsenal’s gameplay which has impressed Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal coach has declared that the club is pretty happy with the performances of the Spanish goalkeeper but has declined to comment on the keeper’s future. Mikel Arteta said, (via football.london), “Obviously, we are really happy with David and everything he has brought to the club and the team, there is no question about it. But, those decisions are taken by all of us at the club and we will see.”
📣 Introducing your @Castrol Golden Glove winner for 2023/24…
Congratulations, David Raya! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/wktXq2KCc5
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 4, 2024
It looks like Arsenal’s prime focus as of now is to clinch the PL title, before taking any decision about the transfers. However, it must be said that looking at the mood around the club, David Raya should be assured of a permanent Arsenal contract to be on its way.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper slams Mikel Arteta for benching Ramsdale
David Raya’s permanent signing would be a disaster for Aaron Ramsdale. The English goalkeeper has been completely overshadowed by the 28-year-old and has found it tough to break it into the Arsenal first-team. This is definitely very embarrassing for Aaron Ramsdale, who just a season earlier was the first-choice keeper for ‘The Gunners.’
The situation at Arsenal where two elite goalkeepers have had to fight for a place in the squad, has confused Arsenal fans. Former Arsenal player and the goalkeeper during the famous ‘Invincibles’ season, Jens Lehmann too could not fathom the confusing situation.
He said, “I never ever understood the Ramsdale decision. If you have a good, brave English keeper at a big English club doing well and then you bring in a Spanish guy who has never played for a big club at that level – it just doesn’t make sense.”
Jens Lehmann wasn’t shy in giving his opinion on Mikel Arteta’s decision to DROP Aaron Ramsdale 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ef5HAZ65uA
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) May 4, 2024
The German believes that it must be very difficult for Aaron Ramsdale, who is still a very young player to assume his role as a second-choice goalkeeper. Arsenal have put the English international inside a huge pit by making him a substitute player within just a season. ‘The Gunners’ need to fix the goalkeeper situation as soon as possible before it turns for the worse.