Some Gooners will immediately be discouraged that not for the first time we have contacted Chelsea to see what they have in their bargain bins. Yet all deals should be judged on their own merit.
Is Kepa the right fit at this stage of his career?
Arsenal need an experienced keeper you can trust to cover if anything happens to David Raya. Normally you can find that on the loan market (like we did regarding Neto) but there is a chance to sign Kepa Arrizablaaga for 5 million, in an era where 5 million can get you little.
Even though they are our London rivals clearly there is a good working relationship between the recruitment teams at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, with the Blues recommending the Gunners another player as they continue to reshape their wage structure under Todd Boehly.
Their policy is to have their squad on longer contracts, paying talent the same as the previous regime but over a longer period of time, all agreements heavily performance incentivised.
The Goalie’s owner was willing to send him on loan last season just to get him off their wage bill and probably will again if his 5 million release clause isn’t triggered.
It might come down to does the Spaniard want to play second choice in his position at this stage of his career?
The 30 year old performed good enough at Bournemouth to justify starting every week for another team in the division, even a return to the South Coast wouldn’t be out of the question.
Outside of being able to remain living in the Capital Of England, the Emirates would be a gamble for someone at the age where he’s about to hit his peak years. With a World Cup at the end of the next campaign now is not the time to be sitting on the bench.
Arteta’s vision could appeal… but will it be enough?
Mikel Arteta will be able to offer him the opportunity to be our domestic Cup Keeper.
Our manager has spoken in the past of not wanting a number 1 GK, feeling competition brings out the best of all involved.
You could argue it saw Ramsdale regress .
Kepa Arrizabalaga is too good to be choosing to play back up. It would an odd choice unless he is backing himself to battle for the spot.
Which is unlikely but you would have to admire that self belief?
Surely though other interested parties can offer more game time?
For Arsenal the chance is to bring in a player with experience of playing in the Premiership who can cover for injuries and suspensions.
To do that for 5 million is a no brainier.
Not sure for the player himself though?
Don’t be put off that he’s another cast off from the Bridge. This would be value.
Dan Smith
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The only non-drawback to this transfer is the price. Everything else says a big NO.
1. He will be another player in the long list of Chelsea failures to come earn a decent pension here. I have said this for a long time and I will say it again and again…Chelsea will not sell us a good player.
2. His wages will not be as meagre as you might expect. Don’t forget that other clubs are interested.
3. For all the praises being lavished on him, need I point out that he’s as inconsistent as they can come. Yes, he had a very good season at Bournemouth. But how many of those has he strung together. A little hindsight of his career will be of benefit here.
4. His arrival will be the last nail in the coffin of hope for any of our young goalkeepers. Runnersson and Neto each made only ONE appearance.
He, as mush as us the fans know that Arteta doesn’t rotate, especially at the goalkeeper position. 5 – 6 years is more than enough evidence to prove that. Why would he still be willing to come. He’s probably looking for a good, long term, secure contract at a top club even though it means warming the bench.
I also remember that I sent in an article on JA when we were negotiating with City for Jesus. I argued that he won’t be productive for us and stated several reasons. Time has proved me absolutely correct.
This is in no way to say “I TOLD YOU SO”. Far from it. It’s just a reminder of previous patterns which keep repeating themselves at our club and for them to prevent possible mistakes.
I’m not in support of this transfer in any way
Long-term you were perhaps right but short-term, GJ and Zinchenko catapulted our rebuild in their first season. They raised the level. The fact that we grew beyond them is more a testament to good squad-building and coaching.
Grew beyond GJesus you said, @SeanM.
And when was that.
Jesus was not playing only when injured. and just being gradually reinstall after recovery from injury.
Man don’t misrepresent facts by putting up a half story
So if Runarssom and Neto only made in appearance it’s not going to affect the young goalkeepers.. let them go out on loan and get experience rather than warm the bench
But we need a proper back up so someone like Kepa is not a bad deal whilst the youngsters prepare in a few years to take over
Goalies don’t mature till late 20’s
Runarsson? What’s he doing here?
But at that time what kinds of players could we attract?
That’s the time that we had become a Europa league club. We were struggling in mid table etc..
And when Jesus and Zinchecko came in, what happened there after? We straight away became instant EPL title challengers that season and have remained as a Top 2 side in England for 3 seasons.
You did not expect us to sign hot properties such as Darwin Nunez or Haaland back then. Did you? We did not have that much of a real pull after being in the wilderness (outside the CL places) for a few seasons. The likes of Jesus and Zinchecko were the next step for us at that time. We tried players likes of Martinez and he ended up at Man United etc..
Sometimes you have to be humble and realistic. Accept / acknowledge where you are at any given time and try to work your way up from there. We did that.
This is clearly “I told you so” rhetoric which is of tangential relevance to Kepa and lacks credibility. The “reasons” you are against Kepa are unsound.
Agree. Looks cheap but you know there us a reason. Another Chelsea reject?
We never learn.
Will be play though mate outside of the Cups?
Risk free ?
But, if he has to play?
Exactly.You ll never learn…
Surely better than Neto.
Good business
I think Kepa wouldn’t join us if Arteta didn’t promise him the cup games
I’m also concerned with Kepa’s wage demand, since Arsenal still need to increase Saka’s/ Saliba’s salaries and sign a new marquee player
I heard he took a wage cut in his new Chelsea contract
Good if he’s willing to lower his salary, to revive his career at a big club
1. This is an attempt to drive a narrative. Kepa performed well last season. He is quite clearly a good goalkeeper.
2. His wages will be one of the reasons Bournemouth aren’t trying to hold on to him. However, does that mean Arsenal should sign him if he fits into our wage structure?
3. His most recent performances are far more relevant than those of several years ago. It is also to be noted that he will not be coming as a number 1 GK despite a strong season.
4. That’s another example of unnecessary sensationalism and sentiment. There are various ways for the younger players to develop and gain experience.
I doubt 2nd string keepers do nothing all year except warming the bench. They have to train each day and partake in drills and generally support the number 1 keeper.
Good signing to keep Raya on his toes. £5m is a no brainer.
I think we need to focus on the facts and not any historical problems we have had with ex Chelsea players.The fact is that Kepa was consistently very good for Bournemouth last season and for 5m he represents a very good buy imo.
Agree granddad. Every deal should be evaluated in isolation. Raya’s young and we have some great young keepers so spending low for a solid keeper is exactly what we needed.
Oh my god…
Bother at least do a quick Google before positing so you’re not spreading false information.
Kepa and Raya are the same age 🤣
At least Arteta as got his yearly quota in for the GK position -now on to a LB.
For 5 million you cannot go wrong but will he even get any games in the cups ?
Seems odd he would come here as number 2 when he did quite well last season ,thought Bournemouth would have taken him .
Dan Kit,
I’ve heard that Arsenal are signing Kepa to actually play at left back, you know how Arteta loves playing square pegs in round holes after all.😂🤣👍
I don’t know if Kepa would want to play behind another Kepa.
He’s still good enough to be first keeper with a Premier League team
sorry I meant behind another keeper lol
Freudian slip Stephanie🤣
Stephanie,
I liked your first post better, no need to apologize.😂👍
I would also think for Kepa and Bournemouth, its a no brainer?
If not, WHY?
Raya height 1.83m Kepa 1.88m. Kepa has better aerial ball skills than Raya. We also need an experienced right winger (maybe again from Spain?) who keeps Saka on his toes. Nwaneri is not yet close to threatening Saka’s place. No player should be assured of his place if Arsenal want to win trophies. Arsenal Women won UCL trophy mainly due to important subs like Kelly, Blackstenius, Mead, Van the goalie etc.
Kepa certainly is not better than Raya in the air, Raya is brilliant in the air so no idea where that comes from
Even if it is 50 million.
We need at least a goalkeeper who is better than the two young ones you talked about.
And Kepa certainly is so much better.
I wouldn’t mind adding yet another.
He’s been really good for Bournemouth, though pretty crap at Chelsea, I welcome his signing as a proper rival to Raya, who needs a decent rival with his dodgy playing out from the back recently.
He’s 30 and is likely keen to make the WC squad if he has any kind of ambition. If he does have ambition why would he join us to sit behind Raya almost guaranteeing that he wont see a minute of WC game time?
If he has no ambition then fine but why would we want a player like that?
No a bad piece of business but just very odd overall
I like the idea of him coming to us at the figures mentioned
Raya needs competition a d hopefully MA has said come to us and fight for the no
1.spot
Raya was good last season but he made some bad mistakes, his distribution was great at times, and he needs someone hoovering and him looking over his shoulder to keep him on his toes all the time
He didn’t have that last season
Raya made some important saves but was also profligate at times and poor at others. ..
Yes he got the golden gloves for 2nd year running….BUT we had the best defence in the PL 2nd year running so maybe he is being made to look better than he is by the guys in front of him
For me Kepa played well for Bournemouth and would certainly keep Raya on his toes. People saying why would he come to be 2nd but then why would Jao Garcia or anyone do the same who is any good !?
I think it’s a decent punt and gives the young ones like Stetforf a chance to get a good season on loan somewhere and pmay every week rather than warm the bench !
It boggles the mind. We desperately need forwards so Arteta decides to sign another goalkeeper and to top it off its a toxic chelsea reject.
Has the transfer window closed ? There’s plenty of time to conclude other signings.
I see the usual people on here moaning as always! Even with a fantastic deal like this if we pull it off, they’re still complaining! What are you expecting exactly of a backup keeper?
Getting a quality 2nd choice keeper, especially keeping them long-term, is actually the toughest position to fill in the entire squad. Because unlike any other position, you have to convince whoever signs, that they’ll be sat on the bench for 95% of the time.
Kepa is settled in London; EPL experience; just had a brilliant individual and team season at Bournemouth; absolute bargain at 5m, allowing us to invest more in other positions; and at 30 years old, has plenty of experience to provide cover, whilst still young enough in “keeper terms” to have some ambition to push Raya and show Arteta what he can do.
Also, at just 5m, we could even make a profit should he want to leave within the next 2 years.
Ultimately, it’s really tough at any club to find a quality stable number 2, and even if Kepa only stays short term before getting itchy feet, it’ll still be a fantastic signing!
It’s the same people that keep saying:
“We should buy both Gyökeres and Sesko. And that we also should by both Nico William and Rodrygo. And another top CM on top of another top N10 to replace Odegaard. Plus a Goalkeeper of course. And of course a new manager to replace Arteta, blah blah..”
All in the to come in this summer window. And if this does not happen then Arteta and the owners are not ambitious. blah blah”.
Sometimes you read peoples comments on these platforms and just 🤦♂️🤦♂️😊
Why are you 2 always so bothered about other fans ?defence mechanism because of Arteta ?
Very odd .
“Why are you 2 always so bothered about other fans?” coming from the guy who constantly replies to comments from other fans trolling them!
Do you even know what self awareness is? 🙂
Forthman does it again 🙂
Fourthman*
You get the gist though .
@Goonster
I know, and agree!
I think too many fans, especially these days of social media, constantly talk rubbish, hate context, think they’re playing FIFA, and have no patience.
If Arsenal don’t win the opening game of the season, we’ll see – Arteta out; failed transfer window, Sesko is our new Sanogo if doesn’t score straight away, etc…
Agreed ,remember the Covid situation and what was said by the flat earthers on how it was all a lie and how some simpletons eat it up and spewed bile online .
Same sort of thing wouldn’t you say .
Thumbs up.
What about Carl Hein, isn’t he good enough for us. Why not just keep him as the 2nd goalie and play him against low profile teams.
Obviously not good enough?
More than half a century comments on a sub goalie. How would we react if Arsenal signed a best 11 contender? Liverpool and City thus far have signed best 11 candidates like Frimpong and Cherki. Arsenal bosses are playing certain awkward mind games to manipulate the thinking of eager fans. They start one then stop unfinished. They start another then stop unfinished …etc. Zubimendi ..Sesko.. Gyokeres … Sane..Nico ..Kepa… It’ll be them the bosses who make the last laughter later. Trusting them is cumbersome really.
That would be if you believe rumours from the media. A sane person wouldn’t, they would just wait until the club announce a signing on their website.
It would indeed take an insane person to believe all the rumours on the media HD.
I’ve lost count of the players we’ve been linked with, about to buy, been gazumped over and lost to another club!!
Ken1945,
For me I believe that the journalists have a scatter gun approach regarding transfer speculation. They think if they connect Arsenal with enough players, there bound to get the odd one right here and there, but as we all know journalists never let the truth get in the way of a good story.🤦♂️
Another example of it was when Patrick Viera was at the club. At the end of every season, they had him leaving. It became a standing joke every pre-season with the players, he would walk in to pre-season training and would be greeted with Oh are you still here Patrick. And then when Patrick finally did leave, the Paper had the gall to say you heard it here first. Priceless! 😂👍
@Ambachew..
May be you should not be believing every rumour that you read in the gossip media. Have Arteta or the club ever come out and stated that they were in for those particular players being reported in the media?
You are letting these gossip / rumour monger tabloid get you all worked up for no solid reason.
Forget where he is coming from. He played well at Bournmouth and at the price he is a solid back up for Raya. Let’s move onto the next order of business in the transfer market.
The no brainer would be to chase Donaruma as no1, not, not improve the team by buying a no2. Thats not progress, thats standing still. Thats why we won’t win the elite trophies.
can one ever please you lo!!!, the club should go get Donaruma, and what will we do with Raya.
seriously reading comments here can be depressing at times.
Ok wise guy, get a team full of bench warmers? I am on about improving not standing still. Donaruma could be available, he would be an upgrade and we need 2 keepers. Raya can fight, instead of being no1 and buying a no2. The mistake we always seem to make is thinking what we have, is the best and buying back ups. Thats a poor mentality. And it seems some fans are thinking the same way.
“We have contact Chelsea to see what they have in their bargain bins”
Kapa at 5 mill is more than a bargain, we have not struck this sort of luck since the little Ukrainian rat.
Surely there must be a catch to this £5 mill deal and our thinking no doubt will be clouded by the Blues pass players making the short trip across the capital
It would be a great deal but I don’t see it happening for 3 reasons:
1. Kepa was the first choice at Bournmouth. What makes you think he wants to become second choice here?
2. If I remember correctly, Kepa refused to come off in a Carabao cup match a couple of years ago.
3. There must be some reason Chelsea are selling him cheap. Like they did with Sterling.
If this deal does happen, it would still be a decent deal nonetheless. Maybe I could be wrong and he turns out to play the cup games. But I’m not so sure about this one.
Some of you here are something else honestly. A deal that has already been finalized is what you are having doubt about?
If he was first choice at Bournemouth, does it mean he can’t be second choice at Arsenal. Are these two clubs on equal level or haven’t u seen a player who is a starter at his old club yet become a bench warmer at a new and bigger club?
Some of u don’t deserve to be here cos of how unintelligent you are.
Henry, not questioning your “unintelligence” but where in the article does it say it has been finalised? It says it is being considered not being finalised, hence Dan giving his opinion.
And case in point, many goalkeepers move from bench of bigger team to starting a smaller team game- Ramsdale and Martinez, for example, due to “lack of gametime”. Why would you move the other way?
Maybe you should consider what I am trying to say before calling me “unintelligent”. If you need me to clarify, just ask me next time.
Maybe, and I know this is a big MAYBE, Arteta had=s learned the value and benefits of rotating his players more. Raya made great saves last year but many of them were necessitated due to his ball handling errors. MAYBE Arteta realises even a keeper needs time of to recharge mentally.