“Amazing”- Arsenal’s phenomenal top transfer target was at the Stadium yesterday to cheer Arsenal up against Manchester City- He joined Arsenal’s locker room celebration after the match and met his ‘soon to be’ teammates
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya attended the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City yesterday, according to the Daily Telegraph journalist Sam Dean.
The Gunners are working to finalise the acquisition of the Spain international, and while their opening bid was knocked back, discussions have continued as both clubs look to strike a deal.
Raya will be competing with existing No. 1 Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal should a deal work out, and he would have been impressed with the performance of the England international yesterday.
Ramsdale made key stops to keep the game at 1-0 after City took the lead, saving an effort from Phil Foden who was left one-on-one with him before pushing Rodri’s header away at the near post a few minutes later.
The Arsenal goalie also stopped the penalty kick of the Man City midfielder as his side ran out 4-1 winners after the shoot-out, and he will be brimming with confidence ahead of Raya’s likely arrival.
United States international goalie Matt Turner is set to have a medical today ahead of a move to Nottingham Forest, and the Brentford star is targeted as his replacement as manager Mikel Arteta looks to keep all his players on their toes.
The Gunners boss admires Raya’s ability on the ball, and while Ramsdale is also comfortable with playing out from the back, the Spaniard is like a midfielder in goal owing to his futsal background, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dubbing him a “No. 10” due to his pinpoint distribution after a game in September 2021.
Having two of the best goalkeepers in the land will be a blessing for Arsenal, and it will be interesting to see how Arteta manages the situation.
The North London club will not be going all through this trouble if they are not sure that Raya has what it takes to establish himself as the starting goalie and improve the side.
They are ready to challenge for the Premier League again after last term’s disappointment, and no stone will be left unturned in their bid to get their hands on the trophy after a 20-year drought.
