Competition ‘will raise your level’ says Arsenal’s David Raya on new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga
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Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during an open training session at the National Stadium on July 25.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
- Arsenal signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for £5 million, increasing competition for the No. 1 goalkeeper spot.
- David Raya welcomes the competition, believing it will improve both players and benefit the team.
- He praises Arrizabalaga's qualities and Arsenal's other signings, including Cristhian Mosquera.
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SINGAPORE - The battle for Arsenal’s No. 1 jersey has heated up with the arrival of new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, but David Raya welcomes the competition with open arms.
On July 1, the English Premier League giants announced the signing of Arrizabalaga from rivals Chelsea.
The deal is reportedly worth £5 million (S$8.7 million).
With manager Mikel Arteta yet to name his first-choice goalkeeper, both players will be out to impress the Gunners boss.
“A good and competitive partner in every single position will raise your level. So I will raise mine and he will raise his, and that will only benefit the team,” said Raya during a pitch-side interview after Arsenal’s open training session at the National Stadium on July 25
“There has to be competition in every single position all the time... Knowing how the signings are going – that we have two top players in each position – this is the way that the boss wants to work.”
Despite the competition, the shot-stopper remained supportive of his fellow Spaniard.
“I know him from the national team and we are very good friends,” said Raya, 29.
“We have a healthy relationship and partnership in goal… And we know how tough it is to be a goalkeeper – there’s only one ’keeper playing (during the game).
Arrizabalaga remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper since Chelsea paid £71.6 million to Athletic Bilbao for him in 2018. He spent his last two seasons on loan to Real Madrid and Bournemouth.
Raya added: “Hopefully he can stay here for many years. We have welcomed him with open arms... He’s a top guy, top lad and a top professional, so we’re really, really happy to have him with us at Arsenal.”
Aside from Arrizabalaga, Arsenal has announced four new signings – midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, winger Noni Madueke and defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Raya also had warm words for Mosquera, whose deal from Spanish side Valencia
“He’s a young lad, quite experienced for a 21-year-old, so he has very good basics and he’s very, very good defensively,” he said of another Spanish compatriot.
“As a young player, he has a lot to develop, but he’ll be a top player for us.”
Mosquera made his first public appearance as a Gunner at the open training session to thunderous cheers from supporters.
Fans can look forward to seeing the centre-back in action during Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Premier League rivals Newcastle United at the National Stadium on July 27. They beat AC Milan 1-0
Raya joined Arsenal in 2023 on loan from Brentford and secured a permanent move the following year.
He won the EPL Golden Glove the last two seasons for notching the highest number of clean sheets, and he is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Despite the pressure of delivering a title after three runner-up finishes in the EPL, as well as a looming 2026 World Cup call-up, Raya is not feeling the heat.
He added: “I normally don’t set too many goals. My expectation is to carry on the way I’ve played the last two seasons, improve on every single aspect, and of course, collect silverware.
“We haven’t even started this season, so let’s not think about the World Cup. Let’s just think about now… And we will go step by step.”
