Journalist Charles Watts has now claimed Arsenal are likely to address one position this summer with two signings.
Arsenal look set for a busy summer transfer window.
Thirteen Arsenal players have been named as candidates to leave the club. The likes of Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny are certain to exit the Emirates Stadium, as their contracts will be be up this summer and they won’t be offered new deals.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are open to offers on three Hale End academy graduates, as Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson all face uncertain futures.
Arsenal are also aware that Aaron Ramsdale is almost certain to move on. The goalkeeper has been a bit-part figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad this season having lost his No. 1 berth to David Raya, who joined the club on loan from Brentford in the recent summer transfer window.
Arsenal face summer goalkeeper conundrum
Arsenal are now set to shell out £27 million to sign Raya on a permanent basis. Whilst things haven’t always gone smoothly between the sticks for the Spaniard this season, he is clearly Arteta’s preferred choice.
The 28-year-old made a horrendous mistake against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby last time out, which directly led to the concession of a goal. However, Arsenal fans were impressed by how Raya bounced back from this error and commanded his box with authority for the rest of the game.
Ramsdale does not look likely to ever be given a chance to reclaim his starting spot at the Emirates Stadium, and he needs to be playing regularly at this stage in his career, especially for the good of his international prospects.
A summer move would be therefore be in his best interests. However, a replacement would be needed for the England man, as current third-choice Karl Hein is unlikely to be trusted to make the step up to being Raya’s understudy.
As such, the Gunners look set to do double business this summer as far as goalkeepers are concerned.
Mikel Arteta must avoid past mistake as Arsenal prepare to make two goalkeeper signings
Charles Watts has given his view on the matter. Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter said “Arsenal are going to sign a goalkeeper, but it will be a No. 2 to replace Ramsdale, if Ramsdale goes. Raya will be Arsenal’s No. 1 next season. He will sign. Arsenal will spend £27 million to make that deal permanent and sign him in the summer, it’s going to happen.
“They will sign a goalkeeper, probably sign two goalkeepers. One of them will be David Raya on a permanent deal, and the other one will be to replace Aaron Ramsdale.”
Whoever Arteta brings in to serve as cover for Raya, it must be someone who can fit in with the Gunners’ preferred style of play when called upon.
Previous back-up option Matt Turner was never comfortable with the ball at his feet and was an awkward tactical fit at the Emirates Stadium because of that. That kind of misguided acquisition in such a key role is the kind of mistake Arsenal can’t afford to make twice.