Arsenal saw Bernd Leno drop an absolute clanger against Everton on Friday night, allow a tame Richarlison cross to slip through his body and into the net.
That handed the Toffees all three points, and some are now wondering whether Arsenal need to sign another goalkeeper this summer.
Mat Ryan is only on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, whilst Runar Runarsson is unlikely to ever really challenge Leno between the sticks.
Now, La Razon in Spain report that Arteta has asked Arsenal to sign Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, picking him out as a top target for the summer.
Simon, 23, has picked up six caps for Spain, and has emerged as Athletic’s top goalkeeper following Kepa Arrizabalaga’s world-record move to Chelsea in 2018.
Simon could now make the same move to London, and he is actually a huge fan of Kepa – despite his huge struggles at Chelsea.
The Athletic star was quoted by BeSoccer as saying that Kepa was the best goalkeeper he has ever worked with, and him leaving Athletic allowed him to emerge.
“I don’t know if over time I would have played when Kepa was there, he was the best goalkeeper I had ever worked with and it as very difficult to dispute his position,” said Simon. “But when he and Álex Remiro left the way, everything went well to be able to play. In my case it was something fortuitous with a host of lucky situations perhaps, but you had to be prepared,” he added.
Simon could really challenge Leno if Arsenal do make a move for him, and he would likely come at a fraction of the price Chelsea paid for Kepa.
If Arsenal do bring Simon to the Emirates Stadium, they would have to hope that he adjusts to life in the Premier League far better than Kepa has with Chelsea.
The duo are now battling it out with Spain, meaning Simon continues to work with Kepa closely, and having admired him for some time, he may soon have the chance to surpass him with club and country.
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