Arsenal have completed their backdoor reinforcement with the signing of David Raya (28).
Arsenal announced on the club’s website on the 15th (Korean time) that “Spanish international goalkeeper Raya has left Brentford to join the team on a season-long loan.
Raya will wear the number 22 shirt.”
Raya joined Arsenal on loan after signing a new 2+1-year contract with Brentford.
He plans to wear an Arsenal shirt for the 2023-2024 season and compete with Aaron Ramsdale to decide his future.
The specific terms of the transfer were also revealed. 안전놀이터
According to “Sky Sports” in the UK
the loan fee is 300 million pounds (about 51.2700 billion won) and the full transfer cost is 511 million pounds (about 2028.<> billion won).
Raya has already agreed to a long-term contract with Arsenal until the summer of
but Arsenal reportedly brought him in as a loan signing due to financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Raya is a goalkeeper born in 1995 who has been in goal for Brentford since 2019.
He helped the team win promotion to the Premier League and has been in excellent form since the promotion.
He is small at 183 cm tall
but he has quick reflexes.
Raya played in all 2022 league games in the 2023-38 season
ranking first in save percentage (1%), most saves (77) and first in saves per 154 minutes (90.1).
In addition
his passing skills are excellent
which is perfect for Mikel Arteta’s football
which emphasizes the build-up at the back.
Raya has also been named in the Spanish national team.
He made his A-match debut against Albania in March last year and also accompanied him to the 4 World Cup in Qatar.
They recently won the 1-3 UEFA Nations League.
Arsenal weren’t the only team targeting Raya.
‘North London rivals’ Tottenham
as well as Manchester United
Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also kept an eye on him.
Raya’s contract with Brentford expires in the summer of 2024
which has left many teams drooling.
Notably
he was also close to a move to Tottenham.
Tottenham
who are looking for a successor to Hugo Lloris
have made Raya their number one target and have even completed a personal agreement.
However
Brentford stuck to the transfer fee of 4000 million pounds (about 681.2021 billion won)
and Tottenham
feeling the pressure
turned their eyes and embraced Guglielmo Vicario.
Eventually
Raya ended up wearing an Arsenal shirt.
Arsenal will be looking to create competition between him and key defender Ramsdale.
Ramsdale also vowed to fight for Raya
saying that if you’re a footballer
you’re bound to compete.
Ramsdale has been a key defender for Arsenal since the summer of
but he began to show his insecurities last season.
He conceded a goal on a few occasions and was told that his accurate kick
which was an advantage
was not what it used to be.
He was also criticized this pre-season for conceding a disappointing goal.
If Raya performs well for Arsenal
Ramsdale’s position will be shaken.
Raya said:
I’m really happy that I was able to take this challenge and take it to the next level in my career.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how we end up with the season.
The manager told me about the values that Arsenal are striving for.
Arsenal are moving in a better direction and growing.
It was a beautiful challenge, and I couldn’t say no.”
He didn’t hide his confidence either.
Raya said:
I’ve been watching Arsenal football for a long time.
Since Arteta’s arrival, the style of play and the team have changed a lot.
The way I play confidently at the back and take possession away from the opponent is the biggest reason why I can adapt well to this team
he said
and I will try to help as much as I can.
We’ll see what happens
he declared.
There are also some welcome faces.
Raya was reunited with goalkeeper coach Kana Inaki from his time at Brentford.
Coach Kana is very demanding, but he’s a very good goalkeeper coach
he said
I felt much better when I started training with him.
He changed my vision and the way I played in six months.
He was the first person who changed my way of thinking.
Arsenal director Edu Gaspard also welcomed Raya.
He said:
Raya is a top-level goalkeeper who has consistently excelled at Brentford.
With his arrival
we have strengthened our squad
both skillfully and in thickness.
I think we will be able to perform at the highest level in all competitions.