Arsenal boosts goalkeeper ranks by snapping up former Real Madrid and Chelsea star Arizabalaga

Arsenal has signed Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga for £5m.

Arrizabalaga spent £72 million when he moved to Stamford Bridge in 2018, a goalkeeper record and a key member of the side who won the Champions League, Europa League and the club’s World Cup.

Improve the level here.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is the gunman. pic.twitter.com/8ymhga11zc

– Arsenal (@arsenal) July 1, 2025

However, in recent seasons, he has few opportunities and has forced him to join Real Madrid and Bournemouth for season-long loans.

He impressed during two interim tenures, helping Madrid win the Champions League in 2024 and keeping nine clean sheets in 35 appearances last semester.

Arsenal ‘nearly win’ – Arrizabalaga

Arrizabalaga will offer competition for UAE’s Spaniard David Raya.

The 30-year-old told the club’s official website: “I’m really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what’s coming.

“The ambitions shown in this club when I talked to Mikel [Arteta] and inaki [Cana, Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach]they showed me their desire to win…I think we are very close to winning and hope we can achieve that. ”

Arsenal’s first summer

Arrizabalaga is Arsenal’s first signing in the summer, although Brentford captain Christian Norgaard and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. But searches for much-needed strikers continue, with Swedish star Viktor Gyokores still being the most important target.

Gunners Boss Arteta said: “We are excited to have Kepa join us. He is a player we know and has been fighting him in recent seasons. He brings a lot of experience and his teammates will benefit from it, and his real hunger can win.

“Kepa works hard and will improve our level. I know he will be very suitable and already know some of his teammates and we are very excited about him and our future.”