Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a deal worth £5 million.
The 30-year-old arrives at the Emirates Stadium on a three-year contract, bringing with him a wealth of experience from both domestic and European football.
Kepa, who holds the record of being the most expensive goalkeeper in history following his £71 million move from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, joins Arsenal after a solid 2024–25 campaign on loan at Bournemouth.
During his time with the Cherries, he made 35 appearances and helped the side comfortably maintain their Premier League status.
In his first words as an Arsenal player, Kepa expressed excitement and ambition:
“I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming. The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win. I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga
A New Chapter at the Emirates
Kepa’s arrival in North London will add depth and experience to Arsenal’s goalkeeping department.
The Gunners already have David Raya, also a Spain international, as their current number one, but the addition of Kepa is expected to foster healthy competition for the starting spot.
Arsenal had previously brought in Brazilian goalkeeper Neto on loan from Bournemouth during the 2024–25 campaign. However, the club opted not to make his move permanent, which allowed them to sign Kepa.
Manager Mikel Arteta has long admired Kepa’s shot-stopping ability and calmness under pressure.
The signing is also a reunion of sorts, as goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña previously worked with Kepa during his youth career in Spain.
Kepa’s career has been anything but ordinary. After impressing at Athletic Bilbao, he became a last-minute replacement for Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea when the Belgian forced a move to Real Madrid.
Chelsea, unable to convince Alisson Becker to join, turned to Kepa and were forced to meet his full £71 million release clause, making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time.
His Chelsea career, however, was a mix of highs and lows. Despite initial struggles and an infamous incident in the 2019 Carabao Cup final where he refused to be substituted, Kepa made 163 appearances for the Blues and was part of squads that won the Champions League, Europa League, and Club World Cup.
His technical ability and composure with the ball at his feet were never in doubt, but questions were often raised about his command of the penalty area and ability to perform under intense scrutiny.
The weight of the record-breaking transfer fee, paired with a £190,000-per-week wage, made him a target for criticism during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He continued to work hard and reinvent himself,most notably during a successful loan spell at Real Madrid in the 2023–24 season. There, he played a backup role but still contributed to the team’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
At 30, Kepa still has several good years ahead of him, and with over 300 senior appearances under his belt across top European clubs, his experience could prove indispensable in Arsenal’s chase of silverware.
The Gunners are expected to compete across four fronts next season, including the Premier League and Champions League.
With that in mind, squad depth, particularly in goal will be crucial. Arteta now has two experienced Spanish internationals to choose from, allowing tactical flexibility and injury cover across a long and demanding campaign.
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