David Raya reveals how close he was to joining Arsenal rivals

David Raya has recalled how he came close to joining one of Arsenal’s biggest rival in Europe before he decided to join the Premier League giant.

Raya has been fundamental in Arsenal’s push for the title, with his incredible saves helping the team keep clean sheets and win match convincingly.

The Spaniard who arrived at Arsenal on an initial loan move from Brentford in August 2023, but signed permanently a year later, has now opened up on how he was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich before the Gunners came calling.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Raya explained what convinced him to join Arsenal rather than play in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

“The coach, the philosophy when they came for me and everything, the project that was there, and the way the club was rising,” he said when asked about what made him choose Arsenal.

“I just wanted to make a bigger step in my career, obviously coming from Brentford.

“I think Arsenal was the best team to do it because it was rising.

“It was such a young squad as well, and I think it was the best choice I’ve made, to come to this club.”

Raya added: “I was very close to going to another club, but obviously everything happened with Arsenal, it was right in between.

“I was very, very close to going to another club but luckily that didn’t happen and Arsenal, in the end, made a bid and I came here.”

Raya was then asked if he could reveal the club, which he agreed to do and replied: “It was Bayern Munich.”

Now in his third season at Arsenal, Raya is still waiting to win his first major trophy at the club. However, he has kept 60 clean sheets in 136 appearances across all competitions.