Arsenal’s focus now is on the summer transfer window.
Yes, the Gunners still have two games to play in the Premier League, but the season is as good as done, and all eyes are on who Andrea Berta will bring in.
A new striker is a priority, while additions are also needed out wide, in midfield, at left-back, and at centre-half if Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior all leave.’
Another area of the pitch where Arsenal will definitely strengthen is in goal, but that’s not going to change David Raya’s status at the club.
David Raya’s shirt number to change next season
Arsenal signed David Raya from Brentford.
The Spaniard initially joined the club on a season-long loan deal in 2023, but that deal was made permanent in the following summer for £27 million (Sky Sports).
When Raya arrived, Aaron Ramsdale was still at the club, and the England international was a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
But, it didn’t take long for Ramsdale to lose his place – Raya came in after one international break, and he has been the undisputed first choice since.
When Raya first arrived, Ramsdale had the number one shirt. The 29-year-old took the number 22 as a result back then, and because the Englishman was still at the club at the start of this season, there was no change last summer.
However, now, the number one shirt is vacant, and Mikel Arteta and the decision-makers at Arsenal have decided to hand it to Raya before the start of next season.
That’s according to Charles Watts, who wrote in the Daily Briefing: “I’ve been told Raya will officially be taking the Arsenal No.1 shirt this summer, changing from the No.22 that he has been wearing this season.”
Arsenal’s stance on Joan Garcia
Arsenal have been chasing Joan Garcia for over a year now.
The Gunners tried to sign him in last summer’s transfer window, but a deal could not be agreed between the North Londoners and Espanyol.
Arsenal still want to sign Garcia, and the expectation is that they are ahead of everyone else in the race and will get him.
Garcia has been one of the standout players in La Liga this season, but despite that, he will only be the second choice at Arsenal should that deal go through in the coming weeks.
“As much as Arsenal rate Garcia, should he arrive, then he will be coming in as his fellow countryman’s understudy,” Watts said.
“That’s not to say that he will not eventually go on to become Arsenal’s No.1, but that’s something he would very much have to work for.”
