Arsenal are now keeping close checks on SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu as they plan to recruit new backup for David Raya this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
At the end of last summer, Arsenal signed Neto on loan from Bournemouth in a last-minute deal when it became clear that Southampton were willing to meet the Gunners’ asking price for Aaron Ramsdale.
Neto has only been handed one appearance by Mikel Arteta this season and the 35-year-old was brought in strictly as Raya’s number two, rather than someone to compete for his position.
Of course, Arsenal would prefer to have two goalkeepers competing for the number one spot, hence their interest in signing a new face for Inaki Cana to work with this summer.
And whilst Joan Garcia is Arsenal’s number one target, Atubolu has emerged as a possible alternative.
Arsenal showing interest in Freiburg goalkeper Noah Atubolu
Arsenal have concerns about signing Garcia – he’s clearly an excellent keeper but his performances for Espanyol in La Liga are attracting interest from elsewhere.
Garcia is a possible target for Manchester City and Arsenal may now find it tough to convince the Spaniard to join as number two at the Emirates Stadium.
Therefore, Graeme Bailey – TBR Football chief correspondent, understands that Arsenal are following Atubolu at Freiburg.
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The 22-year-old has made 24 appearances for Freiburg in the Bundesliga this season, a side without an outside chance of Champions League qualification.
And in addition, Atubolu recently broke a club record of minutes played without conceding a goal.
The German went six matches without conceding a goal, explaining why he’s now being touted as Manuel Neuer’s long-term replacement for the national team.
David Raya’s penalty record at Arsenal
Remarkably, Atubolu actually saved four penalties in a row for Freiburg this season, matching a feat former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno also achieved in Germany.
At 22, Atubolu has already been handed a nickname of the ‘penalty killer’ in the Bundesliga, something that couldn’t be said of Raya of late.
Raya has saved two of the nine penalties he’s faced at the Emirates – and whilst that’s a fairly good record, he hasn’t covered himself in glory during penalty shoot-outs of late.
Incidentally, Atubolu was labelled ‘outstanding’ by Freiburg’s manager recently for all of his progress this season.
An exceptional young goalkeeper, who could prove as a sensible alternative to Garcia.
