Arsenal have completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a reported fee of £5 million. The 30-year-old joins the Gunners after Arsenal triggered the release clause in his Chelsea contract, ending his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
Kepa, who remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history following his £71 million move from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, will serve as back-up to Arsenal’s first-choice keeper, David Raya. The deal marks Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
Kepa’s Chelsea Journey
Kepa’s time at Chelsea was filled with ups and downs. He made 163 appearances for the Blues and won several trophies, including the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup. However, he struggled to live up to his world-record price tag and eventually lost his starting spot to Edouard Mendy.
After falling out of favour, Kepa spent the past two seasons on loan—first at Real Madrid and then at AFC Bournemouth. At Bournemouth, he played 35 matches, kept nine clean sheets, and helped the club achieve the Premier League’s sixth-best defensive record last season.
Arsenal’s Goalkeeping Plans
Arsenal have been searching for a reliable back-up goalkeeper to support David Raya. With Neto returning to Bournemouth after his loan spell at the Emirates, the Gunners quickly moved for Kepa after their top target, Joan Garcia, joined Barcelona.
Kepa is expected to bring experience and competition to the Arsenal squad. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement about the signing, saying;
“We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win. Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”
Kepa’s Reaction
Kepa also shared his enthusiasm about joining Arsenal, stating, “I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming. The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel and Inaki, how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”
What’s Next for Arsenal
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for three straight seasons under Arteta but have not won a major trophy since 2020. The addition of Kepa is seen as a move to strengthen the squad’s depth and maintain high standards in goal as the club pushes for silverware.
The Gunners are also close to signing midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and are in advanced talks with Brentford captain Christian Norgaard as part of their summer rebuild.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeper Situation
With Kepa’s departure, Chelsea still have several senior goalkeepers, including Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders, and Gabriel Slonina. The club is expected to make further decisions on their goalkeeping roster, with Petrovic likely to be sold and Penders and Slonina possibly going out on loan.
Conclusion
Kepa’s move to Arsenal for £5 million brings an experienced and motivated goalkeeper to the Emirates, ready to compete for his place and support Arsenal’s ambitions. As the Gunners look to end their trophy drought, Kepa’s arrival signals intent and adds valuable depth to the squad for the challenges ahead.
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