Arsenal summer arrival David Raya has been criticised since his loan move from Brentford, but Mikel Arteta has decided to keep him next year.
Raya initially signed for a £3m loan fee with a £27m option to buy, in order to comply with financial fair play (FFP) rules, but the expectation was that he was joining with the view to making it a long-term deal.
The Spain international has been criticised after making a few errors since replacing popular goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and some fans had even questioned whether Arsenal should rethink his option to buy.
However, it has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that Raya is set to stay at the Emirates for a long time.
Fabrizio Romano reveals David Raya Arsenal deal
Romano has now confirmed that Arsenal have guaranteed that Raya will stay at the club, and the player signed a long-term deal last year.
“Understand Arsenal have decided to seal David Raya deal in 2024 — it’s all guaranteed as buy option clause will be triggered for £27m,” he posted on X.
“Raya already signed potential long-term contract as AFC player for June 2024 — all done.
“Brentford accepted this structure due to FFP.”
David Raya will be Arsenal’s long-term goalkeeper
Although his initial adjustment period has been a tough one, there are clearly no doubts from Mikel Arteta that the 27-year-old will be his long-term number-one option.
Arteta has claimed that he may look to rotate Raya with Ramsdale, but this has not been the case in reality, as Raya has started every game in the Premier League and Champions League since his arrival.
Given that the deal will be completed next year, Ramsdale will still be in goal for Saturday’s trip to Brentford, with Raya ineligible, but the unfortunate reality for the England star is that the club have faith in Raya.
Many have questioned the decision to bring Raya in, given how impressive Ramsdale was last season, but it seems that Raya’s long-passing ability has been the deciding factor in picking him over Ramsdale.
Once Raya fully adjusts to the pressures of playing for Arsenal, as well as Arteta’s style of play, the doubts over him may begin to be silenced, but the situation he has found himself in has been an odd one.
Raya came in somewhat unexpectedly, and his shaky start, as well as the fact that he replaced a solid option in Ramsdale, meant that there was little patience from the fanbase when it came to his errors, but if he is able to iron these mistakes out of his game, and there is more clarity over him being the long-term number one, he will find he becomes more popular at the Emirates.
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