Forget Eberechi Eze, ‘outstanding’ star says it was his always his dream to sign for Arsenal

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Arsenal are close to adding another boyhood supporter to Mikel Arteta’s ranks with Eberechi Eze.

Eze is closing in on a £67.5 million switch to the Gunners from Crystal Palace, with the deal expected to be announced imminently.

The 27-year-old will be returning to the club that released him at 13 and that he grew up supporting.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are also known to have been boyhood Arsenal fans, with Arteta seemingly intent on building a squad full of players who dreamt of wearing a red and white shirt at the Emirates.

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David Raya reveals that playing for Arsenal was one of his dreams

It’s no surprise that the likes of Eze, Saka and Lewis-Skelly dreamt of playing for Arsenal, having all joined the Hale End academy at a young age.

The North London club is in their roots, and having grown up locally, it’s natural that they’d have an affinity for the Gunners.

However, for players coming from different countries to N5, it’s not often the case that they have a specific connection to Arsenal.

That said, David Raya has revealed that playing for Arsenal was always one of his dreams.

“Obviously, one of my dreams was to play for Arsenal and to sign for Arsenal,” Raya told actor Alfie Allen in an interview for Sky Sports.

“So when I made my loan deal a permanent signing, it was one of my happiest moments as well.”

Raya moved to England at the age of 16, joining Blackburn Rovers on a scholarship, and thus, he may have developed a connection to the Premier League and Arsenal at a young age.

David Raya’s form will be crucial to Arsenal’s success this season

After some shaky moments early in his Arsenal career, Raya has settled in N5 and established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

The shot-stopper has become a key pillar of Arteta’s team, with his ability to claim crosses and distribute the ball accurately being essential to relieving pressure on the Gunners’ defence and to their build-up patterns.

Alan Shearer described Raya as ‘outstanding’ after Arsenal’s win over Manchester United last weekend, with the 29-year-old now starting to earn more regular plaudits in the mainstream.

If Arsenal are to fulfil their potential in all competitions this season, then Raya will have to be at his absolute best, and the early signs based on what he produced at Old Trafford are positive.