HERE WE GO: Arsenal have completed the signing of Europe best superstar, jersey number already confirmed as player set to start our next game – NOT VICTOR OSIMHEN
The Gunners have paid an initial £3million loan fee and have the option to buy the Spaniard for £27m.
Raya will extend his contract to maintain value in case Arsenal fail to take up the option. Arsenal have been pushing the agreement to remain within FFP guidelines.
Despite Aaron Ramsdale’s stellar performances between the sticks, boss Mikel Arteta is keen for the England international to have sterner competition.
Raya completed his medical last week and has completed his season-long loan move from west to north London.
The 27-year-old was spotted in the stands at the Emirates on Saturday for the Gunners’ curtain-raiser against Nottingham Forest.
Raya watched his new team-mates beat Steve Cooper’s side 2-1 in a positive start to the new Premier League campaign.
While Arteta is hoping to provide competition for Ramsdale, the move to bring in a man of Raya’s talents has seen him criticised by former Premier League greats Peter Schmeichel and Shay Given.
Schmeichel is at a loss at the move, with the Dane adamant that it will only bring greater insecurity, rather than greater competition, between the players.
‘I absolutely do not get it,’ Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live last week.
‘I cannot understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it’s a great thing to have competition for the No 1 shirt.
‘A goalkeeper’s position is very reactive. You cannot create anything on your own, you have to wait for things to happen.
