Arteta jokes Raya can play in Spain 'on the beach with his friends'
David Raya has admitted he would love to test himself in La Liga one day, and Mikel Arteta has responded with a cheeky but firm message about his goalkeeper's long term future at Arsenal.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Raya was asked whether he harboured any ambition to play in Spain having spent his entire professional career in England since leaving Catalonia as a teenager. His answer was candid.
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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.”
Those comments were naturally put to Arteta, who gave a light hearted but pointed response making clear there is no suggestion of an imminent departure. “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,” the Arsenal boss said.
Raya's rise at Arsenal
Raya is contracted to Arsenal until 2028 and has become one of the most important players in Arteta's squad since his move from Brentford, which began as a loan before becoming a permanent £27million deal. He has since overtaken Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's No.1 goalkeeper.
His performances last season played a significant role in Arsenal winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, as well as reaching the Champions League final in Budapest. On the international stage, Raya was part of Spain's World Cup winning squad in North America over the summer, even though he did not feature on the pitch.
His individual form has also been recognised at the very top level of the sport. Raya has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world, and is expected to attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday.
Crediting his roots
Raya began his professional journey in England as a 16 year old, joining Blackburn Rovers on scholarship terms after being born in Catalonia. He went on to make 98 appearances for Rovers' first team, following a loan spell at Non-League side Southport, before signing for Brentford in 2019.
Speaking on the Beyond The Box Podcast, Raya recently paid tribute to Blackburn goalkeeping coach John Keeley for giving him his chance in English football. “I don't know what, but he saw something in me since the first day,” Raya said. “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. He put a lot of work into me, and he was one of the reasons I went on loan, why I made my debut, why I started the following season as number one. He believed in me and I always have a lot to thank him for. Without him, I don't think I would have made my debut.”
For now, any move to Spain remains a distant ambition rather than a concrete plan, with Raya firmly focused on his role between the posts for Arsenal.
