Raya is not only an established shot-stopper but is also very good at distributing the ball from the back.
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Arsenal have announced another exciting signing in the ongoing transfer window, with the arrival of an all-action goalkeeper. Spanish shot-stopper David Raya has made the switch from Brentford to the Gunners on a season-long loan deal. He has been an important part of the Bees’ set-up in the Premier League over the last couple of campaigns. Raya is not only an established shot-stopper but is also very good at distributing the ball from the back.
Be it coming for the crosses or rushing out of the post, David Raya is more than capable of satisfying all the demands of a modern-day goalkeeper. Having completed his loan switch from Brentford, Raya spoke about the reason for choosing Arsenal. The Spanish international also divulged details about his conversation with manager Mikel Arteta before moving to the Emirates Stadium.
“I’m over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up. I’m really excited to get going and see how the season ends up. I spoke to the boss and he sent me the values of what Arsenal are about. The way that the club is going, it’s growing even more so it is a beautiful challenge to take and I couldn’t say no,” he was quoted as saying by arsenal.com.
He added: “I’ve seen Arsenal a lot for a lot of years and since [Mikel] came he’s made a massive difference to the style of play and to the club. The way the team plays out of the back, being confident and taking possession to the other team is the main thing why I fit into the team. I’m going to try and help as much as possible and we’ll see what happens.”
This switch will also see a reunion between Raya and Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. He had worked with Raya during their days at Brentford. “Inaki is very demanding but he’s a very good goalie coach. He’s always onto you but he only wants you to be the best. I felt so much better when I started training with him and in the space of six months, he changed my vision of a goalkeeper and the way I played back at Blackburn to how I played at Brentford. He was the first one to change my mindset to see different aspects of goalkeeping,” he elaborated.
“I can’t wait to be out there training with the lads and getting that GK union going. That’s a tight group that we’re always going to get along and push each other, so that’s going to be a healthy group in my opinion. I just can’t wait to get going and meet the lads. One of the challenges is to get used to the style and the patterns, and get to know the players as soon as possible to get that bond from the beginning. Knowing the players and the staff, I think they’re going to put me in the right direction and I’ll fit in straight away.”
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