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Arsenal star David Raya has revealed that he previously came \u201cvery close\u201d to joining a European giant, but he ultimately chose the Gunners.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old joined Arsenal<\/strong> from Premier League rivals Brentford on an initial loan deal before his move was made permanent for around \u00a327m.<\/p>\n Raya<\/strong> was signed as an upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale and he has massively surpassed expectations at Arsenal, having cemented himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.<\/p>\n The Spaniard is boosting Arsenal\u2019s push for the Premier League and other trophies this season, and Thierry Henry has backed him to win the Player of the Season award this term.<\/strong><\/p>\n But Raya\u2019s career trajectory could have gone differently. When asked why he opted to join Arsenal, the goalkeeper revealed that he was \u201cvery close\u201d to signing for a different club.<\/p>\n \u201cJust obviously the coach, the philosophy that when they came for me, the project that was there, the club was rising,\u201d Raya said.<\/p>\n READ: Tuchel criticised for Arsenal snub as actual child \u2018protected\u2019 from unknown England dangers \u201cI just wanted to make a big step in my career coming from Brentford and I think Arsenal was the best team to do it.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously it was raising such a young squad as well and I think it was the best choice I\u2019ve made to come to this club.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very close to go to another club but obviously everything happened with Arsenal because it was right in between and everything. I was very, very close to going to another club but luckily it didn\u2019t happen and Arsenal in the end made the bid and I came here.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked to name the club he almost joined, Raya replied: \u201cIt was Bayern Munich.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Big Weekend: Arsenal v Man City, Tottenham v Forest, Liverpool, Rosenior, Bowen, Madrid It remains to be seen whether Raya will start against Manchester City in Sunday\u2019s Carabao Cup final, and pundit Paul Merson has told head coach Mikel Arteta to make a \u201cbig decision\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cArsenal have that swagger about them,\u201d Merson told Sportskeeda.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know they are good. Eberechi Eze likes playing at Wembley too. He scored in the final and lifted the FA Cup with Crystal Palace at Wembley last season. I think he keeps his place in the starting line-up for this game.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a feeling Mikel Arteta will go with Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres to form the attacking quartet for Arsenal with Eze. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will sit behind them in midfield.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big decision that Arsenal need to make is whether they go with Kepa Arrizabalaga or David Raya in goal.<\/p>\n \u201cKepa has been first-choice in the Carabao Cup and I think they should stick with him. It\u2019s only fair because he played well and got you to this stage. But I must admit, Raya is world-class! The saves he made against Everton and Leverkusen, absolutely phenomenal.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, if I were the manager, I would still stick to my principles and choose Kepa as the keeper for the final. He\u2019s not let the team down in this competition and deserves to start.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Arsenal sixth as deepest Quadruple runs ever ranked, with sweary Guardiola in sight
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