Mikel Arteta pulled off a masterstroke in the transfer market that helped Arsenal win the Premier League title, but admits it was difficult to convince the board it was the right thing to do.
The Gunners have conquered the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and have the chance to add a first Champions League title this weekend as well.
Arteta’s side takes on Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday in Budapest and have the chance to complete one of the great seasons for an English side, although will be underdogs against the defending champions.
It has been a journey of ups and downs since the Spaniard took charge in December 2019, with the team going through a lot of change over the last six-and-a-half years.
The countdown is on
Our seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we’ve got everything you need to know. Sign up now.
A notable change Arteta made was in 2023 when he brought in David Raya from Brentford, initially on loan but with an option to make the move permanent.
It was a confusing piece of business at the time as Aaron Ramsdale had only been signed two years earlier and had established himself as the first choice goalkeeper, performing well in the 2022/23 season when Arsenal finished second.
There was an awkward period as Raya adapted to his new surroundings and Ramsdale dealt with his demotion, before leaving for Southampton in 2024.
The Spanish goalkeeper has gone on to be a star performer for the Gunners and the move entirely vindicated, but it was one that caused confusion at the time, not just among onlookers, but within the club.
Speaking on The Overlap, Arteta explained: ‘That’s a good example of what a manager needs.
‘I was very convinced that we had to make a change. Not because Aaron didn’t have the quality, because I believed to go to the next level that we needed a different profile of goalkeeper.
‘It was very difficult to explain, difficult to explain upstairs and externally. It could maybe not make sense. That’s when you need a sporting director, in this case Edu to say, “Mikel, are you 100 per cent sure?”
‘I went through it with him again and again. “You know you’re going to have an issue.” I know. “Mikel, you’re going to expose yourself.” I know. “You really want to do this?” Yes, please do.
‘Edu really convinced the board because they need to be convinced and to understand. “Mikel says this, ok let’s do it.” It doesn’t work like this.
‘And then it has to work. And then Inaki [Cana, goalkeeping coach] played a pivotal role because he knew him from Brentford and many years.
‘I wasn’t sure if it was going to work or not but David is going to present himself and dedicate himself to the cause and be an incredible ambassador for the club. I was sure.’
It is safe to say the move has gone very well for Arsenal as Raya has excelled after a slightly shaky start three years ago.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The Spain international has won the Premier League Golden Glove for the most clean sheets over the campaign in each of his three seasons with the Gunners, although he shared the award in 2024/25 with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.
Only Petr Cech and Joe Hart, with four each, have won the Golden Glove more than the 30-year-old.
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira even named Raya as the club’s Player of the Season, telling Sky Sports: ‘David Raya, for me, has to be the Player of the Season. I think he was outstanding from the first game until the end of the season, I think he was really impressive.
‘He made some really important saves, he won points for Arsenal. For me, I don’t see any other players who were quite outstanding.
‘We’re always going for those forward or creative players, why not a defender, and why not a goalkeeper? I think David, for me, will have my vote.’