Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa

 

The path from Chelsea to Arsenal is a well-trodden one. And now it’s one that’ll be walked again with the Gunners set to complete the signing of Kepa from the Blues. While Arsenal need to sign a striker, with Benjamin Sesko the club’s top target, signing high-calibre competition and cover for David Raya is key. 

 

The north London side had Neto as backup for Raya last season, the Brazilian moving from Bournemouth to the capital. Even so, the Brazilian made just one appearance in 2024/25, that coming in a forgettable display in an eventual 2-1 win at Girona in the Champions League. 

 

 

An additional body between the sticks to cover for Raya is, therefore, vital. Arsenal were fortunate that the Spain international didn’t sustain a prolonged spell on the sidelines, ultimately keeping 13 clean sheets; no player kept more in the Premier League last season. Arsenal also conceded fewer goals (34) than any other team, a return made possible due to Raya’s showings. 

 

The decision, though, to move for Kepa for £5m could prove a steal in the market. Incidentally, Bournemouth sanctioned Neto’s move to Arsenal because they’d landed Kepa on loan from Chelsea. While it’s been a fall from grace for the 30-year-old, who is still the most expensive goalkeeper in history following his high-profile move from Athletic Club to Stamford Bridge, he is a Premier League experienced shotstopper who’ll suit Arsenal’s approach and help to push Raya on. 

 

After a stint at Real Madrid, Kepa’s decision to move to Bournemouth perhaps raised eyebrows, but he was ultimately crucial in the Cherries finishing ninth. Bournemouth conceded the sixth fewest goals (46) with Kepa on hand to make the ninth most saves (95), a return that would have been higher had he recorded more than 31 appearances. 

 

Such were his Premier League showings that he re-emerged on radars in England’s top tier. Having become a figure of fun on the back of his big money move to Chelsea, and a number of errors that followed, Kepa has rebuilt his reputation on the south coast, and a move to Arsenal shouldn’t be scoffed at. 

 

 

Kepa did, after all, earned a save success rate of 71.3% in the Premier League last season, a return that was marginally lower than Raya (71.7%). In addition, Kepa’s pass success rate of 70.4% was also slightly lower than Raya (70.6%), while the former’s long ball accuracy (40.1%) was better than the latter (32.9%). For an Arsenal side that returned a possession average of 57.1%, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta needs his goalkeeper to be good with the ball at his feet, and Kepa should prove a handy deputy for Raya. 

 

The issue remains that Arsenal need a goalscorer to lead the charge, but the reported £5m to bring Kepa to the Emirates is a solid piece of business. He’s similar to Raya, though perhaps lacks the consistency of his compatriot, and should prove a shrewd addition to the Gunners.

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