Arsenal set to announce new signing that will make Raya angry

Football sometimes is an irony, and there is no bigger irony than David Raya set to face what Aaron Ramsdale faced at Arsenal last season.

According to reports, Arsenal are poised to unveil their first signing of the summer, having successfully secured the services of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, beating out competition from Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Manager Mikel Arteta is aiming for a transformative summer transfer window and pre-season to propel Arsenal to Premier League glory. The Gunners have made significant strides under Arteta, emerging as genuine title contenders in the 2021/22 season despite previous struggles to finish in the top four. Last season, they further cemented their status as challengers, pushing Manchester City to the final day of the campaign.

Amidst links to high-profile players such as Everton’s Amadou Onana and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, Arsenal’s imminent acquisition of Garcia marks a potentially pivotal, albeit lower-profile, addition to the squad.

According to reports from Spain via The Mirror, Arsenal are set to announce Garcia’s arrival imminently. The 23-year-old goalkeeper made 21 appearances for Espanyol last season, playing a crucial role in their promotion back to La Liga. Despite having four years remaining on his current contract, Garcia expressed his contentment at Espanyol towards the end of last season.

“I have always felt the love of the fans,” Garcia said. “I’m very happy that people are with me. And for that part (transfers), don’t worry, I’m very good here and above all I would ask you to be calm and encourage us.”

The signing of Garcia may surprise many Arsenal fans, given the club’s recent decision to make David Raya’s stay permanent. While Garcia’s age and limited top-flight experience suggest he won’t immediately challenge Raya for the number-one spot, Arteta’s track record indicates he values competition for places and is unafraid to rotate his goalkeepers.