Arsenal’s David Raya has insisted he welcomes the “healthy competition” provided by the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga, despite manager Mikel Arteta offering no assurances that he will retain his status as the club’s number one goalkeeper.
Raya, who has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the past two seasons, is facing a direct challenge for his starting position following Arsenal’s £5 million signing of Kepa from Chelsea earlier this month.
Speaking from the club’s pre-season tour in Singapore, Raya confirmed that his role for the upcoming season has not been guaranteed. When asked what Arteta had told him about remaining first-choice, the Spaniard replied: “Nothing. He [Kepa] just came as a new team-mate and to add another goalie to the group. The manager hasn’t said anything so we will see what happens.”
The signing of Kepa, who remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71.6 million move to Chelsea in 2018, is a clear move by Arteta to intensify the quality and competition in every position. After loan spells at Real Madrid and Bournemouth, Kepa returns to a top Premier League club aiming to revitalize his career.
Despite the high-profile nature of his new rival, Raya maintained that the dynamic between them is positive and professional.
“No, I think it is just a healthy relationship,” Raya said when asked if Kepa’s status puts more pressure on him. “We are friends. We have been together in the national team and now we are here so we have that healthy relationship and, let’s say, ‘healthy partnership’ in goal. We know how tough it is to be a goalkeeper. There’s only one goalkeeper playing and we will see what happens. That is the job of the boss and he will decide.”
Raya has firmly established himself as one of England’s top goalkeepers since joining Arsenal, but the arrival of his experienced Spanish compatriot signals that no player’s position is secure as the Gunners look to build a squad capable of winning the Premier League title.
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