Arsenal have completed the signing of David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford for a fee worth £3 million, with an option to sign him outrightly for £27 million.
Raya becomes the fourth signing to be made by the Gunners this summer, having signed Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
David Raya made 39 appearances for Brentford across all competitions last season and he picked up an impressive 12 clean sheets in 38 Premier League appearances.
Following the departure of Matt Turner, Arsenal had to find a replacement for the American goalkeeper.
Arsenal statement on the signing of David Raya
Confirming his arrival to the Emirates, the Gunners put out a statement on their official website which reads:
“Spanish international goalkeeper David Raya has joined us from Brentford on a season-long loan.”
The Spaniard finished 5th in the Premier League last season in terms of clean sheets, despite conceding 46 goals in the season.
Raya has also spoken about the reason he decided to join Arsenal, pointing towards style of play as one of the biggest factors in him joining the club.
David Raya said: “Of course that’s one of the biggest parts, obviously, the way that the team plays, out of the back and being confident and taking the possession to the other team.
“That’s the main thing why I fit into the team and I’m going to try and help as much as possible and we’ll see what happens.”
The 27-year-old joined Brighton from Blackburn Rovers on July 6, 2019, for a fee worth €3.35 million.
Raya is a remarkable ball-playing goalkeeper and Mikel Arteta has opted to sign him, to provide intense competition in the goalkeeping department of the team.
The ex-Southport goalkeeper has also extended his deal with Brentford by two years, with an option for an extra year.
David Raya’s contract with the Bees was due to expire in June 2024, but he has penned a new deal, which might see him remain at the club until 2026.
Why did David Raya sign a contract extension with Brentford?
The reason for the contract extension was for the goalkeeper to have a team to fall back on, in case Arsenal fail to sign him permanently.
Raya will wear the No 22 shirt at Arsenal and he would be hoping for greener pastures in North London.
He didn’t feature in Thomas Frank’s side’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
The 27-year-old made 161 appearances for Brentford cumulatively and he kept an impressive 54 clean sheets.
Arsenal commenced their 2023/24 Premier League season on a good note, with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The encounter witnessed the return of Matt Turner to the Emirates Stadium, having left the club this summer for the Tricky Trees.
The Gunners are set to experience keen competition for a starting shirt by two top goalkeepers and senior shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale has welcomed the imminent battle in goal.
Speaking in a recent interview with ITV Sport, Ramsdale said: “Bring it on. Nothing comes easy in football, but also at the same time, you need to move along and need to adapt as well as yourself.”
Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park to face Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace in their second Premier League encounter.
