Arsenal 'reached agreement' on deal in summer window - but didn't announce it

Arsenal have been busy tying down a number of their senior stars to new deals, but one such agreement was sealed with little fanfare. Unlike the recent extension for William Saliba, David Raya's improved contract in North London wasn't announced by the club, though news of the deal has now begun to surface.

Raya joined Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Brentford in 2023, with the move made permanent the following summer. The Spanish international has been one of the Gunners' most consistent performers, helping keep the club competitive domestically and in Europe.

According to BBC Sport, Raya saw his wages rise above £100,000 after agreeing terms over the summer. His contract length hasn't changed - similar to the situation when Leandro Trossard agreed new terms earlier this year - but the Gunners are reported to have an option to extend the deal beyond its current end-point of 2028.

The update to Trossard's deal was reported in August, though it too wasn't announced by Arsenal at the time. The Belgian international's deal is understood to run until the summer of 2027.

Raya, who turned 30 in September, has been an ever-present for Arsenal in the Premier League since his arrival, save for the two games against his then parent club Brentford for which he was ineligble. He also started all but one of the Gunners' Champions League matches last season as Mikel Arteta oversaw a run to the semi-finals.

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“I came here to go a step further in my career,” Raya told club media after bringing up his 100th appearance for the club in a victory over Nottingham Forest. “I think it was the right decision.”

“When I came here, Aaron [Ramsdale] was the goalkeeper and was playing. I just try to do my best on the pitch and off the pitch and give a reason to the boss to pick me.

“I think it was, maybe two years ago that I made my debut, and from there it's been incredible. And having that record, with 42 clean sheets, that credit goes to the team and to the staff."

Raya has since added three more clean sheets in Arsenal colours. Two of those came in Europe, in 2-0 victories over Athletic Club and Olympiacos, while Arteta's team beat West Ham by the same scoreline in the Premier League on Saturday.

“It's unbelievable – and I was hammered when I brought him. So that's perspective as well," Arteta told reporters as Raya brought up his century of appearances. "Very good to understand the game, and especially when a few months or years go by. It's really good to look back as well and reflect on that.”

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