Raya reveals fateful 'U-turn' before shining at Arsenal

David Raya discloses he nearly joined Bayern Munich before choosing Arsenal, a pivotal move that elevated him to top-tier status in Europe.

David Raya has surprised fans by revealing he was very close to joining Bayern Munich before making the career-defining choice to move to Arsenal.

Joining Arsenal on loan for the 2023/24 season, Raya quickly proved his worth and was permanently signed by the London club in July 2024 for a fee of around £27 million. However, few knew that prior to this, the Spanish goalkeeper was very close to moving to the Bundesliga. Speaking to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Raya stated: “I was very, very close to joining another club. Fortunately, it didn't happen, Arsenal made an offer and I came here. That club was Bayern Munich.”

Under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, Raya quickly rose to become one of the Premier League's finest goalkeepers. His reflexes, footwork, and command of space helped Arsenal maintain defensive stability in their title chase. After the victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, Arteta praised him lavishly: “He is fantastic. Those crucial saves are precisely why he is here.”

Not only trusted by the coaching staff, Raya is also highly rated by experts. Former star Jamie Carragher stated that the Spanish goalkeeper is one of Arsenal's most successful signings in recent years. He even believes Raya is capable of competing for the Premier League's top spot with Alisson Becker and surpasses his predecessor Aaron Ramsdale.

Additionally, Raya emphasized the role of assistant Gabriel Heinze in building the team's fighting spirit. According to him, defensive solidity is a crucial factor in a demanding league like the Premier League, where most matches are decided by small moments.

Currently, Arsenal leads the league table and has established a safe gap over Manchester City. With Raya's consistent performance in goal, the Gunners have solid grounds to dream of major trophies. Looking back, not joining Bayern Munich can be seen as a crucial turning point, helping the Spanish goalkeeper find the ideal environment to develop and shine.