Arsenal officially signed David Raya in July 2024 on a long-term contract after he impressed during his loan spell from Brentford last season. The Gunners had the option to permanently sign the Spanish international goalkeeper on a deal bordering on €30 million and they took it. 

The 28-year-old goalkeeper came in with huge expectations and while he has not disappointed, few can say he has exceeded expectations. His presence in the Gunners team is no doubt a negative for Aaron Ramsdale, who has seen his place as first choice ceded to the Spaniard. The English goalkeeper did not find this news pleasing and subsequently joined Southampton.

Arsenal fans are not satisfied but certainly hopeful. Their team has shown remarkable improvement in all areas in the past two seasons. Getting players like David Raya on board may just be the necessary ingredients for fostering another solid title challenge both in England and in Europe. 

Having gone close once again to winning the Premier League, Arsenal tickets will as usual remain in top demand for the 2024/25 season.

Why Did Arsenal desperately want David Raya?

Arsenal had a good campaign last season but just narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League. They however finished in second place, just two points behind Manchester City, who won the title. Arsenal also did well in the Champions League, reaching the quarterfinals and pushing Bayern Munich all the way and were just narrowly edged out.

One reason for their success was David Raya. He started in 41 matches and kept 20 clean sheets. He was quite solid during the course of the season and he won the Golden Glove award, which is given to the goalkeeper with the highest number of clean sheets in the league.

David Raya didn’t just man the posts well, he snatched the Number 1 jersey from Aaron Ramsdale and became a key player for Arsenal. 

In the Premier League, he kept 16 clean sheets. He was also crucial in Arsenal’s Champions League journey. In the round of 16, when Arsenal played against Porto, the match went to a penalty shootout. Raya saved two of Porto’s kicks, eventually helping Arsenal move to the next round.

When the signing was officially announced, David Raya expressed his joy. He said, “After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years. It’s a dream come true to be here.”

Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta, was also very pleased and had this to say. He said, “David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player. He is a big presence in our dressing room. We have a very talented group of goalkeepers, and I love to see connections like the one I see in our goalkeeping unit.”

This signing is quite immense for several reasons. First, it strengthens Arsenal’s defense. Second, it shows that Arsenal are serious about competing at the highest level. By signing one of the best goalkeepers from last season, if not even the best, they are indicating that they want to compete even more against the big boys and maybe even win the Premier League title next season. 

Their major opponent is Manchester City, and for them to be able to compete with Pep Guardiola and his men, they will need the best of players.

What David Raya offers this Arsenal team

The way David Raya plays is quite similar to Manuel Neuer who is known as the best “sweeper-keeper.” This term means that he is good at leaving his goal area to help his team defend or start attacks. He is also very good at passing and distributing the ball, which helps his team keep possession and build up their play from the back. It is worth noting that sometimes, his passing can be quite risky and put his team under pressure, but his overall skills make him a valuable asset.

Now that David Raya is officially an Arsenal player, fans will expect to see him continue to perform well. He will need to train hard with his teammates and play in matches, hoping to help Arsenal win trophies. 

He will need to work on grey aspects of his game, like lapses in concentration. Sometimes, he tends to forget himself and make poor clearances or concede goals that should have been stopped. Though we know he was at Brentford previously, he didn’t start from there.

David Raya’s journey to Arsenal started in his homeland Spain. He was born in Barcelona and began his football career at a very young age. He moved to England in 2012, joining Blackburn Rovers. His performances caught the eye of Brentford, and he joined them in 2019 in a deal of around £5 million. At Brentford, he became one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship and was one the best players for Thomas Frank in their journey to the Premier League.

In 2021, Brentford were promoted to the Premier League, and Raya played a crucial role in their success. His performances in the Premier League led to his loan move to Arsenal last season. Now, with his permanent signing, he is ready to continue his journey at one of England’s big clubs. Being at Arsenal presents a unique opportunity for the player who is nearing his peak, and he will hope to challenge for trophies as soon as possible.

Conclusion

David Raya’s journey from being on loan at Arsenal to becoming a permanent player is proof that hard work and consistent performances can be rewarded. His performances last season earned him a permanent spot, and now he is ready to help Arsenal aim for even greater success. 

For Arsenal fans, this signing brings hope and excitement for the future, as they look forward to seeing more of Raya’s solid goalkeeping performances.

While Arsenal are shoring up in the goalkeeper department, it will also be wise for them to add more legs in the defensive area to boost the squad’s strength.