Arteta’s streak without guarantees: Competition for Arsenal’s goal

David Raya has stated that Mikel Arteta has not guaranteed him his position as Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper, but assures that he enjoys the “healthy competition” that the new signing, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has brought. Arsenal finalized the signing of Kepa from Chelsea for 5 million pounds sterling earlier this month. This move comes eight years after his transfer from Athletic Club to Stamford Bridge for 71.6 million pounds sterling, which made him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time.

David Raya surpassed Aaron Ramsdale to be Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper when he joined the club from Brentford. Raya, winner of the Premier League Golden Glove in the last two seasons, has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in England. When asked about what Arteta had told him about his continuity as a starter, the Spaniard replied: “Nothing. He simply came as a new teammate and to add another goalkeeper to the group. The coach hasn’t said anything, so we’ll see what happens.” Kepa has spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth, before Arsenal activated a release clause in his contract with Chelsea. When asked if this adds more pressure to have the most expensive goalkeeper in the world on the team, Raya replied: “No, I think it’s a healthy relationship”.

We are friends. We have been together in the selection and now we are here, so we have that healthy relationship and, let’s say, a ‘healthy partnership’ in the goal. We know how difficult it is to be a goalkeeper. There is only one goalkeeper playing and we will see what happens. That is the boss’s job and he will decide.

David Raya