Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has said that he had an easy decision to join the Gunners last year after speaking with manager Mikel Arteta about the project.
The Spain international joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Brentford last season. A buy clause was triggered to sign him permanently last summer.
Raya had a mixed debut season with the Gunners with some high-profile errors, but he has been tremendous between the sticks for the club this term.
The 29-year-old has already made several world-class saves in the early part of the campaign and he has firmly established himself as a favourite among the fans.
In an interview with DAZN (via Mundo Deportivo), Raya said that every child dreams of playing for a big club such as Arsenal. He did not have to think about it after Arteta’s call.
He said: “All the effort and work has been worth it.
“Every child dreams of playing for a team as big as Arsenal. When Arteta calls me, he tells me the project and explains how everything works.
“I didn’t even have to think about it, I wanted to be there. Since I arrived in England, I always paid a lot of attention to Arsenal.”
Raya’s loan move came as a surprise to many fans, considering Aaron Ramsdale was an undisputed starter at the time. There was speculation that Arteta could rotate his goalkeepers.
However, it became clear from the off that Raya was going to be the number one. Ramsdale left for Southampton last summer after the Spaniard was signed permanently for £27 million.
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Raya has gone from strength-to-strengthen this term. The 29-year-old has looked more assured with his distribution and handling. He is undeniably one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe.
Arsenal take on West Ham United on the road in the Premier League this weekend. Raya will be aiming to keep back-to-back clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since August.
The Blackburn Rovers graduate has played with a constantly changing backline in front of him, but Arteta has had a similar back four in the two victories after the international break.
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