Arsenal are close to completing their first signing of the summer transfer window, with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to arrive from Chelsea for £5 million.
The Gunners are in need of a new backup goalkeeper after Norberto Neto returned to Bournemouth following his season-long loan at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta wanted to sign Joan Garcia, but the Espanyol number one has seemingly decided to complete a switch to Barcelona.
Thus, the North Londoners have turned to alternatives to source a deputy for first-choice David Raya.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Kepa, who has a £5 million release clause in his contract at Chelsea, which Andrea Berta plans to activate.
Berta has managed to convince the shot-stopper to sign for the Gunners, despite his role likely being limited to minutes in cup competitions.
Kepa did enjoy an impressive loan spell at Bournemouth last season, keeping nine clean sheets in 35 Premier League appearances for the Cherries, showing that he is an adept option if Arteta needs to use him.
- GET TO KNOW KEPA ARRIZABALAGA: All you need to know about Kepa Arrizabalaga from Arsenal transfer to wife and family life
What Arsenal squad number could Kepa Arrizabalaga pick?
While the deal is subject to a medical and formal paperwork being completed, Arsenal do intend to trigger the £5 million release clause, making it extremely likely to materialise.
Kepa has several numbers he can pick from at the Emirates, although Raya is taking the number one shirt for the 2025/26 season, meaning the traditional goalkeeper shirt is off limits for him.
Looking back at the keeper’s shirt number history, aside from number one, he has worn 13, 25, 26, 30, 31 and 33.
The 13 shirt is currently vacant at Arsenal, and given this is the traditional backup goalkeeper number, this is the most likely number the Spaniard will pick.
Here are several other options available to Kepa in North London (12-40): 14, 16, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40.
How often will Kepa Arrizabalaga play for Arsenal?
Last season, second-choice goalkeeper Neto played just one game for Arsenal, in a dead rubber Champions League fixture against Girona.
Raya was also absent for this game with a slight knock, and Arteta likely wouldn’t have even trusted the veteran Brazilian had the number one been fit.
Kepa can expect to play a lot more than Neto, although he’s still unlikely to make a single league appearance if Raya remains healthy.
That said, the former Real Madrid man should play every minute in both the FA Cup and the League Cup, as long as Arsenal are in those competitions.
In previous seasons, Arteta has turned to his first choice in the latter rounds of the cups, but part of convincing Kepa to join surely included promises that he’ll play every minute of these games.
He may even be granted a few matches in the League Phase of the Champions League.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
