Arsenal Completes £5 Million Signing Of Kepa Arrizabalaga From Chelsea

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Arsenal have secured Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a £5 million deal. This follows his loan spell at Bournemouth. Last season, David Raya played every Premier League match for Arsenal, with Neto as backup on loan from Bournemouth. With Neto's return to Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta has opted for another Cherries goalkeeper within a year.

Kepa spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola. Chelsea initially signed him from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £72 million. Falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge, Kepa found form with Bournemouth, playing 31 league games and helping them finish ninth. He achieved eight clean sheets and a save percentage of 70.9%, ranking eighth among goalkeepers with over five appearances.

The 30-year-old has agreed to a three-year contract at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal triggered his release clause with Chelsea. Kepa aims to help Arsenal secure trophies after they finished second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons. "I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming," Kepa expressed on Arsenal's website.

He added, "The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel and [goalkeeping coach] Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win... I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it."

Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Kepa's arrival: "We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons." Arteta believes Kepa's experience will benefit the team and appreciates his eagerness to win.

"I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his team-mates, and we are really excited about his future with us," Arteta added.

Tough Start for Arsenal

The Opta Power Rankings indicate that only Manchester United face a more challenging start than Arsenal in the upcoming Premier League season based on their first five matches. Arsenal will kick off their 2025-26 campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 17.