Arsenal soon completed one of the biggest summer contracts when brought back to Viktor Gyokeres. But when the attack was able to be assured, at the lower route, coach Mikel Arteta was facing a much more tough problem: Who will be the one who holds the wooden gun frame next season?
Raya normally, Kepa is not better
Last season, David Raya was borrowed from Brentford to replace Aaron Ramsdale. At first, everyone thought this was just a backup plan, but no. After only the first few rounds, Raya replaced Ramsdale to become the No. 1 choice. And from there, a series of endless controversy began.
Raya is more stable than Ramsdale in the ability to pass the ball and control space. But the problem is that he is not really good goalkeeper that he cannot touch.
The situation made a mistake in the match against Tottenham, or embarrassing handling under pressure, showing that Raya still had a big gap if wanted compared to top goalkeepers like Alisson or Ederson. Rather, Raya is the person that Arteta can accept, but not necessarily the Absotented Arteta.
The most evident evidence is that in this summer transfer window, Arsenal did not activate the Raya bought terms immediately. They wait. And in the meantime, they suddenly brought back … Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spanish goalkeeper experienced the faint 2023/24 season in Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea. Initially he was the main person who instead of Courtois injured, but gradually lost his position in Lunin's hand. The fact that Real does not buy Kepa does not surprise anyone.
By the 2024/25 season, Kepa was borrowed and played well with Bournemouth. Thanks to this stable performance, Kepa was decided to take him to the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta cannot be assured
A person is not good enough to hold the goal of Chelsea, Real Madrid and also only in the form of playing for Bournemouth, now coming to compete with Raya – who has not really created absolute peace of mind. So in the end, who will be the number 1 in the Arsenal wooden frame next season?
Arteta has not given any guarantee. When asked, he only answered in a double water: “We have two quality goalkeepers and competition will make both of them better.” But everyone understood, that answer was actually a limb. And that limb also means … Arteta has not found his real number 1 guard.
In theory, Kepa has more experience when he has battle in the Champions League in Chelsea and Real Madrid shirts. But Kepa's problem is psychologically. He was once labeled “the rebel” at Chelsea for refusing to leave the field when Sarri asked to replace him. He also made countless mistakes in the ball or reflexes near. Kepa is a good goalkeeper model, but it is easy to fight if the opponent puts strong pressure.
Raya is the opposite. More calm, less “dramatic”. But that is why sometimes lacks a boom. Raya is not a “team” goalkeeper like Courtois or Oblak, but more like a gear in the system. Stable, but not saving superhero.
And that is the biggest problem that Arsenal is facing. In the season where they set goals to conquer both the Premier League and the Champions League, an important position like the goalkeeper cannot keep floating. It is impossible for today to be Kepa, Mai is Raya, and the next battle is in return.
A big team needs a true number 1 goalkeeper, a person whom the defenders trust and the fans feel secure. And most importantly, the coach is willing to protect to the end, as the way Klopp works with Alisson, Guardiola did with Ederson.
With Gyokeres, Arsenal now has a spearhead enough to spread fear ahead. But behind, where the most sure, assertive and stable need, they have two goalkeepers are “just enough to use” but no one is really superior.
Is Arteta ready to bet on either? Or will he still find a third name in the last weeks of the transfer period? The future will answer. But right now, there is an undeniable fact: Arsenal wooden frame is still a big question mark. And that's not what a championship desired before the new season.