David Raya has already verbally agreed to join Arsenal permanently, according to a report, despite Mikel Arteta insisting the decision will wait until the end of the season.

LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

David Raya won the Golden Glove at the weekend after Jordan Pickford conceded a goal in his match for Everton, and the Arsenal goalkeeper then kept a clean sheet against AFC Bournemouth to ensure he won’t share the award with anyone else.

Yet the on-loan Brentford man is still not yet a permanent Arsenal player, and Mikel Arteta insisted that the club still need to make a decision on that this summer.

“Those conversations are for after the season,” Arteta said. “We will review where we are.

“Obviously, we are really happy with David and everything he has brought to the club and the team, there is no question about it. But, those decisions are taken by all of us at the club and we will see.”

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Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper #22 David Raya gestures during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 6, 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s David Raya gestures during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 6, 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano tells a different story, with the Italian journalist claiming that Arsenal’s plan to make Raya a permanent signing has been clear all season, and that it’s already verbally agreed between all parties.

According to Romano, all that is lacking is the signature to make things official, which will presumably come after the season ends.

The reporter has been claiming the same thing for a while now, making a similar statement back in March.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: David Raya of Arsenal makes the match-winning save from the fourth penalty from Galeno of FC Porto (not pictured) in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal makes the match-winning save from the fourth penalty from Galeno of FC Porto (not pictured) in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Raya has kept 19 clean sheets in 39 matches for Arsenal so far, just a little under 50% of his appearances for the club. It’s little wonder he’s won the Premier League Golden Glove, and he’ll hope to make it to 20 clean sheets or more before the season ends.

The goalkeeper’s clean sheet record is about more than just his personal performances, of course. Arsenal have been very strong as a defensive unit this season, and credit has to go to the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and the rest as well.

But most of the defence were already playing for Arsenal in 2022/23, and Aaron Ramsdale didn’t win the Golden Glove behind them.

Raya’s played his part in taking the backline to another level, and it looks like he’ll be rewarded with a permanent deal.

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