Kepa responds to David Raya’s message as Arsenal switch looms – ‘this day can’t be topped’
David Raya sent a heartfelt message as he prepares to welcome new competition between the sticks for Arsenal.
Raya’s rise to the very top of English and European football has seen him navigate spells at Blackburn, Southport and Brentford before competing his permanent £27million move to the Emirates last summer.
The 29-year-old soon displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta‘s number one upon his arrival on an initial loan deal in 2023, and Raya’s progress in North London has seen him become a regular for Spain.
With 13 clean sheets last season, Raya shared the Premier League Golden Glove award with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, but will soon face renewed competition to keep his place for the Gunners.
Raya sends heartfelt message away from Arsenal as Kepa reacts
Arsenal are keen to buck the trend of three straight second-placed Premier League finishes in a row next season, but are yet to add any new additions to Arteta’s squad as Andrea Berta looks to make his mark.
Norberto Neto’s return to parent club Bournemouth opens the door for the Gunners to sign a new keeper this summer, and Kepa has emerged as their top target after his own impressive spell with the Cherries.
Kepa Arrizabalaga returned to Chelsea at the end of last season but will soon be on the move again, and he took to Instagram to like Raya’s post with the two Spaniards set to become potential team-mates next term.
Raya sent a message from his honeymoon destination of the remote Tanzanian savannah, and his Instagram post (19 June) said: “This day can’t be topped”.
Kepa transfer a bargain as Arsenal prepare huge summer outlay
Football Insider Verdict
Arsenal have seen no reason to part with Raya between the sticks since his introduction to the side in late 2023, and Kepa would likely be consigned to the number two spot if he does move to the Emirates.
Competition across the pitch is something Arteta’s squad lacked last season, and it’s no surprise to see Arsenal make a new striker their priority as they weigh up bids for Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Gunners legend David O’Leary suggested that Sesko is Arteta’s preferred option up front as Arsenal decide who to sign this summer, but Gyokeres has already made clear that he’d be happy to become their new number nine.