David Raya is enjoying another outstanding season for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta always wants competition for places in his squad, with Gunners scouts looking at a new goalkeeper
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta is looking to the future with Arsenal(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are planning to give David Raya long-term competition after sending scouts to watch on-loan Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Diant Ramaj. Gunners star Raya has the No.1 spot locked down this season, with summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga restricted to just two appearances.
Kepa, 31, is a year older than Raya and is unlikely to be a long-term replacement even if Raya were to lose the gloves for some reason. Arsenal also have 19-year-old Tommy Setford as well as Alexei Rojas, 20, on their books but they could be about to add a more established shot-stopper in Ramaj.
The ex-Germany youth international has starred on loan at Heidenheim this season, dislodging club legend Kevin Muller. Ramaj was only signed by Dortmund in February after a spell with Ajax, penning a four-and-a-half-year deal.
His performances have caught the eye of various clubs including Arsenal, according to German publication Sport. The Gunners said claimed to have flown scouts over to Germany to watch Ramaj in action.
No formal approach has been made and as things stand, the 24-year-old is due back in Dortmund at the end of this season. His future at his parent club is uncertain, though, with Gregor Kobel currently BVB's clear first-choice.
That could prompt Ramaj to entertain a move in 2026. That wouldn't go down too well with Kepa, of course, and Arteta is a big fan of him.
"David has been incredibly good for us in the last few years and Kepa knew that when he came in, but he's ready to compete," the Arsenal manager said before Kepa made his second appearance for the Gunners in October.
"If I have to highlight behaviours in that dressing room and culture, probably I would mention him as number one, because again, he's come into a different environment after winning everything in football, almost.
Diant Ramaj of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 looks on during the 1.Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and Borussia Dortmund at Voith-Arena, Heidenheim, Germany on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Diant Ramaj has impressed on loan at Heidenheim
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"Being in the national team, Chelsea, Real Madrid, big, big clubs and he comes here and every single day he's behaving like tomorrow's training session is the most important one in his life.
"He will have his chances to play, he's in a really good place, and if he plays tomorrow, I'm sure he will be really, really good. I think Kepa has raised the level, he has created a true great environment for everybody to shine and I think that's down to him."
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