Goalkeeper David Raya almost signed with a top Champions League team instead of Arsenal.

David Raya, the Spanish goalkeeper for Arsenal, recently revealed that he had almost joined Bayern Munich instead of the London club. The deal was close to being finalized in August 2023, but Arsenal swooped in and signed Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford. The following year, they made the deal permanent for a hefty sum of £27 million.

Since then, Raya has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's team, especially as they continue to compete for four trophies this season. He has been instrumental in their journey so far, and his impressive performance has caught the attention of many, including Bayern Munich. In an interview with Sky Sports, Raya shared his thoughts on joining Arsenal and revealed that a move to Bayern was also a possibility.

He explained that the club's philosophy and the rising project were key factors in his decision. Raya saw Arsenal as the perfect platform to take a big step in his career, especially coming from Brentford. He also mentioned that he was close to joining another club before Arsenal's offer came in, but he believes that joining the London club was the best decision he could have made.

Raya's decision has paid off as he continues to impress with his exceptional skills and leadership on the field. Even his teammates have praised Raya's contributions to the team. West Ham's Declan Rice expressed his admiration for Raya's dedication and intensity during training, while Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes that Raya should be in contention for player of the season.

Both players have witnessed Raya's outstanding performance firsthand and have nothing but praise for him. When asked about the toughest player he faces in training, Raya named Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City. He described the Brazilian forward as a technical and tricky player who is difficult to defend against one-on-one.

Despite the interest from other top clubs, Raya is happy with his choice to join Arsenal and is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his skills and continue to develop as a player. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Raya as he strives to help Arsenal win their first trophy in years.