That includes the goalie spot, where Raya was brought in even though Aaron Ramsdale was a fan favorite and a team favorite.
Raya has joined Arsenal on a loan deal worth £3 million for one year, with an option to buy for £27 million next summer.
Arteta will have to decide between two keepers who have played in the Premier League before. Some say one will play in the Premier League and the other in the Champions League.Or he could do what Roberto De Zerbi did, which was to say that he will switch between goalkeepers Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen depending on the game. David Raya just joined Arsenal, and his new teammates might not like him when they find out what the tattoo on his neck means.
The goalkeeper who used to play for Brentford has a tattoo on the back of his neck that says “13-08-2021” to remember his first game in the Premier League with the Bees.
Brentford beat Arsenal 2-0 that night, which was one of the hardest times for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss.
Raya had a great first game in the Premier League. He kept a clean sheet, and goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard made it clear that the Bees would win.
Arsenal then lost their next two games to Chelsea and Manchester City. They were stuck at the bottom of the Premier League table and hadn’t scored a goal.
Gary Neville and others criticized Arsenal’s “poor recruitment” and “lack of direction” after the games. It was a tough time for the club.
But the Gunners got back on track and just missed making the top four that season. They then went on to fight for the title last season.
Arsenal has been very active in the transfer market this summer, and Raya is the latest player they have brought in.
The goalkeeper is the fourth player the Gunners have signed. Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber were the first three.
Arteta wants to make it tough to get into the team this season because he wants to win the Premier League again like he did last year.