Raya of light hits Emirates

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make the move permanent. The well-established 'keeper has made himself a household name during his time at Brentford and has now made another big step in his career.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal have paid Brentford $3.8 million for the loan, and the future fee for the permanent transfer is set at $34.2 million.

Current number one Aaron Ramsdale has solidified his position in Arsenal's goal. Impressively, he managed 14 clean sheets during the previous season, a feat surpassed by only two other top-flight goalkeepers. His contributions played a part in Arsenal's second-place finish in the Premier League. Additionally, Ramsdale has earned a spot in every England squad for the past 14 months, highlighting his consistent presence and recognition at the international level. So, why did Arsenal move for Raya? Because competition for places is essential at the highest level.

Sporting director Edu announced the signing, which provides the Gunners with more competition between the sticks.

"David is a top-quality goalkeeper who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League. With David joining us we are adding quality and depth to our squad so we can perform at the highest possible level in all competitions."

The 27-year-old has played a crucial role within the Bees' squad over recent seasons, having participated in all 38 Premier League matches in the previous season. Originally from Barcelona, David arrived in England at 16 when he joined Blackburn Rovers as part of their academy. Following a brief loan period with Southport in the National League and achieving promotion to the Championship with Rovers, he made 108 senior appearances before leaving for West London in 2019.

He has amassed 161 appearances across various competitions for Thomas Frank's team. In his first season with Brentford, his performances earned him the EFL Golden Glove award, and although the team narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion, his contributions were notable. His wait to compete in the top tier of English football wasn't prolonged, as the subsequent season saw him play a pivotal role in Brentford's victory over Swansea City in the 2021 Championship play-off final, securing their promotion.