Aaron Ramsdale was initially doubted as first choice, but he proved to be a solid signing. He delivered a decent return for the club and was eventually displaced by Raya, a move that sparked its own controversy at the time.
Beyond Ramsdale and Raya, the history is troubled. Runar Runarsson joined in 2020 and is often remembered as one of the less impressive Arsenal keepers in recent memory. Mat Ryan, Matt Turner, and Neto followed, each offering varying degrees of adequacy but never providing genuine competition or long-term security. Ryan was the strongest of the group, Turner underwhelmed, and Neto couldn’t feature in cup competitions due to cup-tied status.
Last summer, Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived from Chelsea for £5 million—a low-cost solution that has been adequate without ever appearing truly convincing. He did, however, make a costly error in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. With Kepa’s future uncertain amid interest from Serie A, Arsenal are reportedly exploring options for a replacement.
Arsenal are reportedly considering Illan Meslier as a potential replacement for Kepa should he depart. Reports from Sky Sports’ transfer coverage, corroborated by club insiders, indicate the Gunners have inquired about Meslier, who is 26 and out of contract at Leeds United. On the surface, the profile fits: a free transfer, Premier League experience, and still relatively young.
However, Meslier’s recent form has raised questions. He appeared less dynamic in recent years and, last season at Leeds, served as third-choice behind Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri, not making an appearance. He is left-footed and not particularly technical, and his form has not aligned with the typical standard sought in a reliable backup for Raya. This makes him a less ideal option to pair with Raya or to start meaningful cup games.
Arsenal’s goalkeeping recruitment needs to improve significantly. The ideal path would focus on finding a long-term successor to Raya—someone who can start cup games, push Raya for the starting spot, and step in convincingly if Raya is unavailable. It seemed Arteta teased this direction last summer when links to Joan García suggested a genuine quality upgrade could be possible. García would have cost around €25 million and would have provided true competition, but the opportunity did not materialize, and Kepa was signed instead.
While it’s understandable to balance cost with quality in backup positions, Arsenal now faces the risk of higher costs or more unstable shortages if the issue is not addressed properly. Goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana has played a crucial role in shaping the club’s recruitment philosophy, guiding decisions that have produced Raya and Runarsson as notable contrasts. The gap in quality between these two recommendations underscores the challenge the club faces.
If Kepa leaves, Arsenal cannot afford to replace him with a goalkeeper who has struggled to make a Leeds bench. The club needs a measured, forward-thinking solution—a long-term, capable understudy who can provide real competition and reliability when called upon.
