Mikel Arteta now said to have ‘wanted’ to sign new Arsenal hero as early as 2021

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Mikel Arteta reportedly wanted to sign David Raya as early as 2021 with the Spanish goalkeeper becoming Arsenal’s newest hero this week.

The 27-year-old on-loan Brentford star saved two penalties and kept a clean sheet against FC Porto as Raya helped Arsenal book their ticket in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.

It was a defining moment for Raya, who has now finally won the trust and support of Arsenal fans after a rocky start with the north London side having replaced fan favourite Aaron Ramsdale this season.

Mikel Arteta ‘wanted’ David Raya at Arsenal back in 2021

Yet according to journalist Charles Watts, Arteta had been interested in signing Raya before Ramsdale even joined, with the Brentford star ‘wanted’ in 2021 as the initial replacement for Bernd Leno.

With Arsenal unable to reach an agreement with Brentford at the time, though, Arteta instead made the surprising move for Ramsdale, with the England international turning out to be a quite brilliant transfer.

Indeed, Ramsdale suited Arsenal’s style of play to a tee, with the 25-year-old’s personality also making the former Sheffield United star a fan favourite in north London.

Yet despite serious improvement and a brilliant connection to the supporters, Arteta eventually settled on signing his man Raya last summer, and the Arsenal manager again has got it right in the market.

David Raya signing justified after dramatic FC Porto win

Raya’s performance since the turn of the year have gone quietly under the radar, yet the 27-year-old finally got the standout display the Catalan keeper wanted Arsenal fans to see.

The Spanish international wrote his name into Arsenal folklore with his brilliant penalty shootout performance against Porto, with Raya the key reason behind the Gunners still being in Europe.

And whilst the transfer still remains unpopular, the signing of Raya has been justified by his latest Champions League performance, with Arsenal now in the final eight of the competition.