Arsenal are interested in signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as a back-up to David Raya this summer.
The Gunners need to find a deputy for Raya after Norberto Neto returned to Bournemouth following his loan spell at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s dream target, Joan Garcia, has decided to join Barcelona, meaning Andrea Berta has now turned his attention to sourcing an alternative.
Kepa has been identified by Arsenal as an exciting market opportunity, with his current deal at Chelsea containing a £5 million release clause.
The North Londoners have made the Spaniard their primary goalkeeping target, and are preparing to convince him to make the switch to N5.
With that said, here are four players who may be impacted by the signing.
Winners from Arsenal signing Kepa Arrizabalaga
Tommy Setford
Tommy Setford has recently been promoted to Arsenal’s first team and is expected to be the third-choice goalkeeper in Arteta’s squad next season.
The 19-year-old isn’t yet ready to fulfil the Raya back-up position, but will be vying to take that role in a few years.
The signing of Kepa not only provides him with another astute and experienced shot-stopper who he can learn from over the ensuing years, but also won’t prevent him from taking the number two shirt when he’s ready.
The Chelsea keeper is likely to join on a relatively short-term deal, and with him and Raya being 30 and 29 respectively, Setford has a pathway to regular minutes in the future.
William Saliba
William Saliba is a front-footed and aggressive defender who likes playing high up the pitch.
This aggressive positioning is enabled by Raya’s high starting position and ability to sweep up behind the Gunners’ backline when it occasionally is breached.
Unlike Neto, Kepa shares this attribute with Raya, with the former Real Madrid star excellent at emerging from his goal to stop opposition attacks when the ball is played over the top.
According to FBRef, Kepa ranks in the 88th percentile for defensive actions outside his penalty area.
Thus, even when Raya isn’t in between the sticks for Arsenal, Saliba can play in the same front-footed way he usually does, without being concerned about his keeper’s ability to mop up.
Losers from Arsenal signing Kepa Arrizabalaga
David Raya
The most obvious loser from the potential Kepa signing is Raya.
In order to convince Kepa to turn down offers which promise him the number one shirt, Arsenal will likely need to give him assurances that he’ll play regularly.
Merely handing him domestic cup matches won’t cut it, and thus, the Gunners may offer the player some minutes in the Champions League.
Regardless of the extent to which Arsenal are willing to sacrifice Raya’s playing time, the number one is likely to play less than he did in 2024/25 with Kepa around.
Karl Hein
Karl Hein spent the duration of the 2024/25 season on loan at Spanish side Real Valladolid.
Making 31 La Liga appearances and conceding 68 goals in the process, the Estonian still kept five clean sheets and emerged from the temporary stint with an enhanced reputation.
Having spent an entire year as a first choice in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Hein is very unlikely to be content with being a number three goalkeeper again.
He may have been willing to deputise for Raya, but with Kepa potentially arriving, this likely spells the end for the Hale End graduate at Arsenal.
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