Arsenal have built a big squad with a number of top-class players.
Mikel Arteta has at least two options in every single area of the pitch, and that has put his side in a really strong position to challenge for every trophy available.
The reason behind their squad depth is that they signed eight new players in the summer transfer window.
One of those signings was Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta hails Kepa Arrizabalaga’s behaviour at Arsenal
Kepa is still the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of the game. He cost Chelsea an eye-watering £71.6 million in 2018.
After loan spells at Real Madrid and Bournemouth, the Spaniard became available for a transfer, even though he was better than all of Enzo Maresca’s goalkeepers at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal signed Kepa for just £5 million in the summer, which was an absolute bargain for a player of his quality and experience.
David Raya is the undisputed number one at Arsenal, and that is not going to change anytime soon. Despite that, Kepa agreed to join the Gunners, and that impressed Arteta.
What has blown the Spaniard away even more is his behaviour in and around the squad every single day – it’s second to none.
The Arsenal manager said, as per the club’s official website: “David [Raya] has been incredibly good for us in the last few years, and Kepa knew that when he came in, but he’s ready to compete.
“If I have to highlight behaviours in that dressing room and culture, probably I would mention him as number one, because again, he’s come into a different environment after winning everything in football almost, being in the national team, Chelsea, Real Madrid, big, big clubs and he comes here and every single day he’s behaving like tomorrow’s training session is the most important one in his life.
“He will have his chances to play.”
Kepa’s presence is good news for David Raya and Arsenal
Raya is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has been incredible for Arsenal since he joined the club and is once again the favourite to win the Golden Glove award.
The one thing Raya hasn’t had at the Emirates is proper competition.
Aaron Ramsdale was good, but his confidence fell off the cliff when he lost his place in the side. Neto was a decent keeper too, but he was never going to challenge Raya enough.
Kepa, who has won it all over the years, is clearly pushing the Arsenal number one in training, and that is good news for everyone involved.
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