Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been quick to praise the club’s decision to hold onto one key player from last season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal failed to win the Premier League title on the final day of the season as Manchester City beat West Ham United to lift the league crown.
Despite this, the Gunners improved on their performances from the season before with the North London club’s defensive record the most impressive improvement as they conceded the lowest number of goals in the division.
One key aspect of that has been the impact made by new signing David Raya, who was one of the best goalkeepers in the division last season.
Arsenal pull off big coup as £27 million deal done
The Gunners have confirmed the permanent signing of Raya from Brentford after the club originally signed the Spaniard on a loan deal.
HITC reported a month ago that the Gunners were set to confirm an agreement had been reached with Brentford to turn the goalkeeper’s loan move into a permanent one.
Arsenal are understood to have informed Raya at the turn of the year that they would be turning the loan deal into a permanent one.
Speaking to the club’s media channel on the deal, Arteta said: “David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player. He is a big presence in our dressing room and we are really pleased to keep working with him.
“We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, and that he will enjoy more success with us. We have a very talented group of goalkeepers and I love to see connections like the one I see in our goalkeeping unit.”
Fee for Raya explained
The fee is understood to be £27 million and Arsenal will strengthen an area of the pitch which has seen other clubs struggle to improve on in recent seasons.
What this means for Aaron Ramsdale is currently unclear with Newcastle United understood to be one of the clubs keen on the Englishman but they have already completed the signing of Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have completed a key bit of business and perhaps one of the most important purchases the club could make this summer.
The Spaniard was hailed as ‘outstanding‘ by Arteta after a fine performance against Wolves during the title run in.
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