Arsenal Sign Goalkeeper Kepa from Chelsea in £5m Deal

Arsenal Sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million, marking a notable addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The 30-year-old joins the Gunners on a three-year deal after impressing during a season-long loan at Bournemouth, where he made 35 appearances.

“I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” Kepa said.

“The ambition that is shown in this club… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”

Competition for Raya

Kepa’s arrival intensifies competition for the starting spot, currently held by fellow Spaniard David Raya. With Neto returning to Bournemouth after a loan spell at Arsenal, the club needed a dependable backup or potential first-choice option between the posts.

Kepa remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, having joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a record £71m. Despite fluctuating form at Stamford Bridge, he won major honours including the Champions League, Europa League, and Club World Cup.

Career Rebuild and Success

After a challenging time at Chelsea, Kepa rebuilt his reputation with loans to Real Madrid—where he won La Liga and another Champions League in 2023-24—and Bournemouth, where he established himself as a consistent Premier League performer.

Analysis: Victim of His Price Tag

Kepa was never truly able to live up to his £71m fee, a sum driven by market necessity after Thibaut Courtois left Chelsea and Alisson chose Liverpool.

While his early performances were shaky, he remained a well-liked figure in the dressing room. Despite the infamous incident in the 2019 Carabao Cup final, where he refused to be substituted, Kepa was known as a model professional.

Now, with a much more grounded valuation, Arsenal may have secured a bargain in a still highly experienced and reliable shot-stopper.