BREAKING NEWS : “I wasn’t pleased that he selected Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of me for the final, but what he said to me after the game truly left me upset,” David Raya has revealed, opening up about a post-match comment from Mikel Arteta that deeply affected him.

David Raya has disclosed that he nearly completed a transfer to Bayern Munich before eventually sealing his move to Arsenal F.C..

The Spanish goalkeeper first arrived at Arsenal on a loan deal from Brentford F.C., another Premier League side, before the North London club made his signing permanent. Since then, Raya has played a vital role in strengthening Arsenal’s defensive solidity, becoming a key figure in the team. His performances between the posts have been instrumental, and he is widely regarded as one of the smartest acquisitions during Mikel Arteta’s tenure.

Fortunately for Arsenal, Raya has been ever-present in the league this season, standing out as the only squad member to feature in every Premier League match so far. His consistency and reliability have contributed significantly to the club’s impressive defensive record. However, things might have turned out very differently if his earlier move to Germany had gone through.

Raya recently confirmed that he was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich before ultimately opting for Arsenal, a revelation shared via Fabrizio Romano. Reflecting on the situation, the goalkeeper admitted he feels fortunate that the transfer did not materialize.

He also hinted that he would have no regrets about his decision if Arsenal were to go on and secure the Premier League title this season.

Supporters of the Gunners will undoubtedly be relieved that the club acted decisively to bring him in ahead of Bayern. Over time, Raya has quietly established himself as one of Arsenal’s most dependable performers, even if he does not always receive the same level of recognition as some of his teammates.

Indeed, Raya can be considered one of Arsenal’s most underrated signings in recent years. The club paid approximately £27 million to secure his services—a relatively modest fee in today’s transfer market, especially considering his impact. Since joining, he has made 136 appearances, highlighting the excellent value Arsenal have gained from the deal.

While outfield stars such as Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, and Eberechi Eze often attract much of the praise, Raya’s contributions should not be overlooked. Since his arrival, he has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers, and it is hard to imagine Arteta wanting to replace him with anyone else.