Arteta jokes Raya can play in Spain 'on the beach' after La Liga claim
David Raya has admitted he would love to play in La Liga one day, but Mikel Arteta has made it clear the goalkeeper's future lies at Arsenal for now, with the manager joking that Raya could sample Spanish football 'on the beach with his friends in the summer'.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Raya was asked whether he harboured any ambition to play in his home country having spent his entire professional career in England. His answer suggested the idea is one he has genuinely considered.
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"Yes, I would love to. I would love to try out La Liga. For now, I'm very happy here [at Arsenal], but I would certainly like to experience the Spanish league," Raya said. "I think it's a very competitive league. Perhaps, in the future, I could play for a Spanish club. I'm Spanish and I'd love to play there, that's for sure."
Arteta's response
When put to Arteta, the Arsenal boss responded with a light hearted but pointed message about where he sees Raya's immediate future. "I think David has to play in Spain at some point, on the beach with his friends in the summer but for the next few years he needs to play here for Arsenal," Arteta said.
Raya is under contract until 2028, and there is no suggestion from either party that a move is imminent or even being actively discussed. The comments appear to reflect a long term personal ambition rather than any current transfer plan.
Raya's rise at Arsenal
Born in Catalonia, Raya moved to Lancashire with Blackburn Rovers on scholarship terms at 16, going on to make 98 appearances for the club's first team following a loan spell at Non-League Southport. He joined Brentford in 2019 before completing a £27million move to Arsenal, initially on loan before it became permanent, having since established himself as first choice ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.
His performances last season were central to Arsenal winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, as well as reaching the Champions League final in Budapest. He was also part of Spain's World Cup winning squad and is set to attend Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, where he has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper.
Speaking separately to the Beyond The Box Podcast, Raya paid tribute to Blackburn goalkeeping coach John Keeley for shaping his early career. "He took me to Portugal with the first team when I was 17, for no reason. I think he saw something in me that not all the people saw," Raya said, crediting Keeley for his loan move, debut and eventual rise to first choice goalkeeper.
For now, Raya's focus remains on Arsenal as he continues to establish himself as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers, with any move to Spain appearing to be a matter for the distant future rather than the present.
