David Raya has been handed an improved contract as part of his brilliant start to life at Arsenal, further highlighting his status as one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players. The Spain star has agreed a deal that sees his salary go up since he joined permanently at the Emirates in summer 2024.
Sources close to the club have told that a deal was agreed earlier this summer – but Arsenal are yet to make any announcement. It is a gesture that emphasizes Arsenal want to maintain continuity in their core group and Raya, remains crucial to Gunners’ defensive setup.
Raya’s rise and reward
Raya established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper after making a sharp rise when he switched to the north Londoners from Brentford, initially on loan in 2023 before signing permanently 12 months later. He wiped Aaron Ramsdale out as an ever-present and has grown since to prove one of the most solid keepers in the Premier League.
Raya’s new contract has reportedly seen his wage increased from £100,000 per week as a reward for helping to drive the team forward. Though the increased pay sweetens his deal, he’ll be under contract for the same duration — through 2028. But club sources have indicated there is an option to extend the deal for an additional year, meaning Arsenal can tie him down on a long-term basis.
The Gunners moved in the same manner with Leandro Trossard, who accepted better terms this summer without an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2027. There has been no official confirmation of Trossard’s or Raya’s new contracts by the club, which is in line with Arsenal’s policy of keeping internal renewals on the lowdown.
Arteta’s trusted No.1
Raya made his debut in a 1–0 win over Everton at Goodison Park in September 2023 and has blossomed into one of the finest goalkeepers in English football. He also secured the Premier League Golden Glove twice, in 2023/24 and then last campaign with Nottingham Forest’s Mats Sels, so no one can deny he has been consistently elite.
Raya has gone only six league games without appearing since his arrival and has played all Premier League minutes since March 2024. His statistics tell the story: 33 clean sheets, six more than any other top-flight goalkeeper since the same time. Opponents questioned the Spaniard’s shot-stopping during his early days at Brentford, but he has strengthened it significantly — his 71% save ratio ranks among the league’s best, bettered by only three other regular first-choice keepers since the start of the 2023–24 season.
Statistically, Raya also concedes at the slowest rate of any Premier League goalkeeper, letting in one goal every 114 minutes on average. Compare that to Manchester City’s Ederson, who concedes every 96 minutes, or Liverpool’s Alisson averages 84. But these numbers do not help douse Arteta’s faith in the 29-year-old as Mr Reliant between the sticks.
Author’s View
Improved agreement for Raya feels both deserved and essential. Arsenal’s resurgent form under Arteta has been based upon defensive solidity and soundness in possession – attributes the Spaniard epitomizes. The cool head and positional intelligence he brings to Arsenal’s build-up has enabled them to play out from the back with greater peace of mind.
Although the unofficial nature of the extension might anger a few fans, it is clear what they’re trying to do: they’re paying for performance, not potential. Raya’s extension fits into the club’s trend of keeping things together, after recent renewals of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, and ongoing negotiations with Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka.
For a goalkeeper who has transformed himself from Championship star to Premier League title challenger, he deserves every penny of the recognition. The enhanced contract isn’t just an economic token — it’s Arsenal’s statement of intent that David Raya is their keeper for the duration.
