Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya recently opened up about how close he came to joining Bayern Munich before ultimately signing with the Gunners. The Spain international has blossomed into one of Europe’s top goalkeepers under Mikel Arteta's guidance, but his path almost led him to the Bundesliga giants instead.

Raya’s story

Initially, Arsenal brought Raya on loan for the 2023/24 season, and by July 2024, they made the move permanent for around £27 million. Despite the apparent smoothness of that transfer, Raya revealed that Bayern Munich had been seriously interested in him. As Fabrizio Romano reported, Raya said, “I was very, very close to joining another club, but luckily that didn’t happen, and in the end Arsenal made a bid, and I came here. Which club? It was Bayern Munich.”

Arteta’s praise

Arteta hasn’t held back when praising Raya’s performances. After their recent Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, he described Raya as “absolutely amazing". Highlighting the keeper’s crucial saves in consecutive matches, Arteta emphasised how vital Raya has been. “In two games, it was a set piece last time and a header before that, and today he has an action. He makes an incredible save. That’s why he’s here. We need to value the keeper that we have because he’s absolutely amazing.”

Heinze’s impact

Raya also spoke about the influence of coach Gabriel Heinze, the ex-Manchester United defender, especially on their defensive mentality. Raya credited Heinze with instilling a fighting spirit and high intensity, which he sees as key to success in the Premier League. “He’s a guy, he’s a coach; where he wants us to fight – a lot of intensity. To win games, you have to defend very well, especially in this league. This is the toughest league in the world. You have to be very, very, very solid to be able to win games. Normally, games are won by one goal. So, it’s really, really important to keep that asset from us, from everyone. Not just the back line, just every single player. So, it’s a lot of credit to him as well.”

Expert opinion

Even Jamie Carragher has praised Raya’s quality this season, calling him “a brilliant goalkeeper” and one of Arsenal’s best signings. He compared Raya favourably to other top Premier League keepers, saying, “David Raya, for me, it’s between him and Alisson in the Premier League for the best goalkeeper. He’s certainly one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and that’s why he keeps so many clean sheets.”

What’s ahead?

As it stands, Arsenal lead the Premier League by nine points over Manchester City, albeit having played one extra match. Before thinking about the title race, though, Arsenal face City in the Carabao Cup final this weekend. Arteta expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bring home the trophy: “I’m really prepared and confident that we’re going to make it happen. When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy, take it and bring it home, that’s when you need to step up and make a difference. That’s why we are all very excited because we know what is at stake, and now it’s about the next step, the next game... It’s one of the defining moments because at the end, it’s whether you win the trophy or not. We need to prove that point. That’s clear. And that has to be done on the pitch.”

Mikel Arteta reflected on Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over Everton, a result that extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points. The goals came late in the game from Viktor Gyökeres and Max Dowman, and with the tension high at the Emirates, this match might well stand out as a defining moment in the club’s journey this season.

He described the past couple of months as remarkable, highlighting the team’s presence across all competitions and their consistent approach of treating every match as decisive. Of course, performances vary; some days they’re solid, sometimes exceptional, and occasionally not at their best, but what impresses Arteta most is the team's persistent hunger to win.

The challenge against Everton was significant. Arteta pointed out their quality and coaching, noting how dangerous they were whenever they approached the box and just how tough they made it to break them down. As the game wore on, the pressure to secure the victory increased, which required the team to remain composed and mature. Arteta praised both the players and the crowd for their patience, waiting for the right moments to strike rather than forcing the issue prematurely.

At 0-0, he was visibly pushing hard for a breakthrough, stressing the importance of collective effort; the players were giving their all, and the support staff were fully engaged to back them. Viktor’s goal, in particular, stood out not just because it put the game beyond doubt but also for the way his presence and pace changed the dynamic whenever he was involved. Max Dowman’s energy was also a key factor in lifting the stadium atmosphere.

Arteta also acknowledged the contributions of other players like Gabriel Martinelli and Cristian Mosquera, especially when Jurrien Timber was unavailable. This adaptability has been a recurring theme throughout the season. The impact of the squad members stepping up when called upon underlines why the team is where it is now.

Finally, Arteta touched on the camaraderie within the dressing room; even when his decisions might not always be popular or seem fair, the players accept them with a shared goal to help the team succeed. This mindset, he believes, speaks volumes about the character of the group he’s working with.