David Raya joined Arsenal initially on loan from Brentford (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have already made the decision to sign David Raya permanently from Brentford.
The Spain international joined the Gunners during the summer transfer window but were granted permission to sign the goalkeeper initially on loan.
Brentford, willing to help Arsenal navigate Financial Fair Play Rules, gave the option to sign Raya on a permanent basis for £27million at the end of the season.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta has already seen enough from Raya to decide Arsenal will take up that option.
The 28-year-old has endured a rocky start to his career at Arsenal but has maintained his place, despite being put under pressure from Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya will be ineligible to feature against his parent club on Saturday, which will allow Ramsdale an opportunity to feature in the Premier League for the first time since September 3.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman is hopeful Ramsdale seizes his opportunity amid growing concerns over his England chances, as well as his long-term future at Arsenal.
David Raya will be ineligible to feature for Arsenal against his parent club Brentford (Picture: Getty)
‘If he’s not playing it is going to affect his chances [of playing for England],’ Seaman told the BBC. ‘If I am right, he is going to be playing this weekend – Raya cannot play [against parent club Brentford] because he is on loan.
‘Aaron will come in, he will get a chance, and then I think after that is when we will see what is really going to happen.
‘If Aaron goes in on the weekend as is then left out for the next game then we know who [Arsenal manager] Mikel [Arteta’s] number one is.
‘It’s not good for Aaron. He is a top-class goalkeeper, there is no doubt about that, and Mikel has got a job keeping two really good goalkeepers very happy.
‘Going into next summer [and the European Championship] where Aaron is really pushing to be England goalkeeper, he needs to be playing, but I think January will be a little bit too soon [to think about seeking a move away from Arsenal].
‘I am putting a lot of importance on the game after this weekend. That’s when we will find out a lot of answers. From what Mikel was saying when they brought in Raya, when he was talking about rotating goalkeepers, we will have to wait and see until after that game.
‘But Aaron is too good to be a number two – there is no doubt that.’
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Mikel Arteta has seen enough.
