David Raya has opened up about his emotional departure from Brentford and the influence of Mikel Arteta in his move to Arsenal. The goalkeeper, who joined the Gunners in a deal worth around £10m, admitted it was difficult to leave the Bees after helping them reach the Championship play-off final last season.
Raya, 25, revealed that Arteta's vision for the team and his reputation for developing goalkeepers were key factors in his decision. The Spaniard will compete with Bernd Leno for the number one spot at the Emirates, following Emiliano Martínez's £20m transfer to Aston Villa.
Brentford had rejected multiple bids from Arsenal before eventually agreeing to the sale. The club were reluctant to lose another key player after Ollie Watkins' £28m move to Villa, but Raya's desire to join Arsenal and the opportunity to work with Arteta proved decisive.
Raya is expected to make his debut for Arsenal in the coming weeks, as Arteta continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new season. The Gunners are also pursuing other targets, including Lyon's Houssem Aouar and Atlético Madrid's Thomas Partey, but Raya's arrival marks a significant step in their rebuilding process.
