Arsenal are set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, but one of Mikel Arteta's men could have ended up being on the other side of the pitch if fate played out different
Mikel Arteta gestures
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal signed David Raya in 2024(Image: Adam Davy/Press Association)
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David Raya has revealed that negotiations tipped his heart in Arsenal's favour when he could have signed for Bayern Munich instead.
The Gunners have travelled to Germany ahead of Wednesday evening's Champions League clash with the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena.
And first-choice goalkeeper, Raya, spoke with the press on Tuesday looking toward the encounter.
After briefly discussing his Ballon d'Or nomination, the topic of conversation quickly turned to Raya's chance of signing for the Bavarians back in 2024.
The 31-year-old was a man in demand following a fruitful loan spell with the Gunners from Brentford in 2023/24, with Arsenal ultimately able to secure the Spaniard on a permanent contract for £27million.
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However, Arsenal weren't the only team vying for Raya's services, with Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga titles also in the running at the time.
Now, Raya has revealed why he made his way to north London instead of Bavaria.
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He said: "Well, I'm not going to speak about what could have happened or whatnot.
"At the end of the day, I chose to sign for Arsenal with no disrespect to Bayern.
"It was just the negotiations that we had, but at the end of the day, I signed for Arsenal that year."
David Raya speaks
David Raya could have signed for Bayern Munich(Image: Adam Davy/Press Association)
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It comes as Raya's full focus will be on the task that awaits at the Allianz on Wednesday evening, with Arsenal looking to finally secure the Champions League title that has evaded them throughout history.
Mikel Arteta's men have won both of their opening fixtures in the UCL thus far, enjoying a 1-0 win over Napoli in September before putting LOSC to the sword earlier this month with a 3-0 win on home soil.