David Raya is willing to pull out all the stops to join Arsenal this summer, including handing in a transfer request as he aims to replace Emiliano Martinez.
The 24 year-old enjoyed a thoroughly impressive 2019-20 campaign with Brentford in the Championship, in which they narrowly missed out on automatic qualification to the Premier League, before succumbing to Fulham in the final of the play-offs to miss out once more.
They now look set to be raiding for some of their key stars, with Ollie Watkins headed to Aston Villa, and Said Benrahma and David Raya both linked with moves also.
The latter is keen to make his move to Arsenal after we showed initial interest, although the Bees baulked at our enquiry into his availability.
Raya is now said to be willing to pull out all the stops to make the switch possible, with his agent Jaume Monell confirming to Sport.es.
Arsenal are on the lookout for a new shotstopper who is willing to play understudy to Bernd Leno, who was nominated for Arsenal’s Player of the Season award for last term.
Emiliano Martinez held down the role of second choice throughout last season, but having proven he is deserving of a first-team role when coming in to cover for the German’s injury spell at the end of the last term, he is keen to play more regularly.
The Metro now claims that Martinez is set to join Raya’s former team-mate Watkins at Aston Villa, where he will initially fill the first-team role in place of the injured Tom Heaton.
While we would obviously prefer to see Martinez stay and fight Leno for the first-team role, that option is looking less and less likely at present.
Part of me feels like we should be doing more to persuade Martinez to stay at the club, and that Martinez could well end up proving to be a mistake similar to the one to allow Wojciech Szczesny to leave some years back.
Could Emi prove to be better than Leno in the coming years?
Patrick
I think Emi is currently the best but who knows what the future holds? I’m confident our “new” Manager Arteta (his official title now changed from Head Coach) will make the correct decision.
Truth be told i am pained hearing the news of martinez leaving..And for a cheap prize Gush🤦🏾 am gutted
If someone had offered £20m for Martinez in March after just 6 league appearances in 10 years we would have ripped their arm off.
Now 9 matches on we all want him to stay. Leno has played around 300 top flight matches, has represented Germany is slightly younger.
Raya is shorter than martinez, but superb at set pieces, shot stopping and playing like a sweeper, importantly he is also homegrown.. The 2 ex-brentford coaches, now at arsenal, rate him highly. By selling Martinez and buying Raya we could make £10m towards landing Partey and aouar (spelling?) We could make a bit more if we can convince Brentford to take Macey in p/ex. A real interesting scenario could see Arsenal get Benrahma and Raya with Macey and Balogun going the other way with some cash. That would then leave us able to swap Lacazette with Aouar or Partey?
I know what you’re saying Atid but after 10 years and finally getting a chance to impress (which he did), don’t you think he should be given the opportunity to be knocked off the perch by Leno?
He has spent a lot of time on load also remember. He has experience but was not able to show his qualities until recently.
It was obvious what it meant to Martinez after the final. His tears of joy at finally stepping up for the club. I think it some ways hes better than Leno. I would love for him to start every game!
I see a lot of sense in everything you’ve said..
3 months ago even if it was just 4M we were offered for Martinez, fans would be screaming take it, it’s a good deal…but after 3 months, he’s suddenly the best goalkeeper we’ve not had in ages.
Arsenal fans get to emotionally attached to players, too much. I’ve seen it and it keeps increasing.
Also Martinez isn’t interested in signing the new contract and he wants to leave.
The club can only grant him his wish for his years of loyalty.
I see sense in the cash + Balogun, Macey for Benrahma and Rays but I don’t see it happening.
Well whatever happens, Martinez will have my full time support
Fact is the club showed no interest in Martinez until Leno got injured, he is one of the lowest earners in the squad and the club didn’t approach him until a couple of weeks ago about a pay rise and new contract.
Villa have guaranteed he will start the season and I hear tripled his wages?
Well if Emi isn’t interested in staying ( his tweets tell a diff story) then he should be granted his wish. I’ve previously argued against this move thinking that it’s the club that’s forcing him out (again based on his public tweets about Arsenal). The club should grant him his wish then.
On the balance of things it does make sense to cash in on a player who is likely to sat on the bench (Leno or Martinez) when we need the cash to strengthen in other areas. I would love to have both but is it fair to have two such good keepers with one having to settle as backup?
In an Ideal world, Kronke would stump up the cash without the need to sell be we have a tight ass owner!
If I had a choice I would love to keep both but deep down I fear Martinez will be the one who makes way for cash!
Leno is valued at 32 M on Transfermarkt. So if we have to sell one of them for money I would sell Leno. I also rate Martinez ever so slightly above Leno.
To me Martinez is better with crosses into his box, something Leno is a bit worse at. I also think Martinez is a bit better with his feet.
Breaking news 7 players to miss Fulham including 5 centre backs, so much for having too many?
Squad
Leno, Martinez, Macey
Bellerin, Soares, Tierney Kolasinac
Saliba, Holding, Gabriel
Xhaka, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Torreira, Guendozi, Willock, Ozil, Willian, Pepe, Nelson, Saka, Aubameyang, Nketiah, Lacazette
@ Arid, great squad, I think the squad should be able to win Fulham tomorrow. 3 points for us COYG….
Sorry Atid and not Arid
The Martinez situation is a bit tricky. He has really used the last few months to earn his place in the team. However, I don’t believe MA should be cornered into a situation where he guarantees any player a starting place.
Martinez, obviously, deserves an improved contract but, surely, not a guaranteed start. That decision should be at the exclusive discretion of the manager. Who knows, he might be the one MA prefers?
1. I think Martinez should have one on one discussion with Arteta and reach an agreement, if the agreement is for him to stay good and if its for him to leave, best of luck to him
2. Arteta has already said it that he want competition among his players which will help the club positively, if Martinez is ready to compete with Leno, good he should stay and if not bye bye
3. If Martinez only cares about money( increase in wages) more than what Arsenal can offer and he prefers Aston Villa offers, well bye bye… I love Martinez but Arsenal is my club and am a fan if Arsenal, I love him because he is playing for us, so if he leaves nothing bad, its still gunners for life…
4. If Martinez sales will bring Partey to the team and presence of Partey will help us to compete for the league, then sorry Martinez(I can do without you) but not with my gunners, bye bye…
5. Leno will definitely do the work of Martinez with right defence and reliable midfielder, if you have a very good and hardworking defence and midfielder even though your keeper is average, then you are good to go eg Valdez in Barcelona and current city keeper( i don’t rate those two more than Leno )…
Patrick , your usual closing question is academic now. Surprised you bothered asking it therefore, as it won’t change the fact he is leaving. I deal in facts, not irrelevant theories and questions.