When most of the attention at the Emirates is focusing on the blockbuster deals in the summer, Arsenal quietly completed the first contract called Kepa Arrizabalaga, the goalkeeper who held the most expensive record in the world.
The Arsenal Club Home has officially announced the transfer of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. The price of this deal is 5 million pounds and the contract term is 2 years.
No longer a “Kepa” once caused Chelsea to have a headache because of its fluttering style or personality, the current Basque temple is a mature, calm and knowing version where he is in his career. After a period of dripping at Stamford Bridge and “short -term revival” at Real Madrid or Bournemouth, Kepa understood that the opportunity to return to a big stage like Emirates did not come many times.
Arsenal only takes 5 million pounds to own an experienced goalkeeper, with nearly 200 matches for Chelsea. At the age of 30, Kepa is no longer a promising talent, but it is not to the point of “late afternoon”. Arteta does not need a Raya replacement, but need a reliable plan B and Kepa is the answer.
In the rotating diagram that Arsenal will apply when they have to strain in both the Premier League and the Champions League, Kepa is likely to be captured in the Cup tournaments, even the Champions League if Raya decided. The ability to play foot, good reflexes and experience at the peak are the plus points that make him extremely suitable for the operation of Arteta.
Speaking on the launch day, Kepa did not hide his ambition: “Arsenal is the team that is approaching the championship. I want to be part of that journey and ready to compete fairly with all other goalkeepers here.” A colorless statement, but shows the mind of a goalkeeper who has gradually passed the peak and now desires to be proven himself with durability.
With a 13 -year -old shirt and a two -year contract, Kepa did not come to become a star, but to help Arsenal become a more complete collective. The most successful contracts are sometimes not the most expected names – and with a team like Arsenal, where every detail is carefully calculated, Kepa's silence may bring resounding values at the end of the season.