Kepa Arrizabalaga's first words after completing Arsenal transfer as he dreams of big trophies

Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Arsenal from Chelsea on a permanent contract after the Spaniard’s £5million release clause was activated by the club. The Spaniard is hoping to make a breakthrough at the north London side after he signed on to a three-year contract with the Gunners through until 2028.

football.london understood ahead of his arrival that Kepa was not looking at his move as conceding his position as a potential number two and instead wants to try and challenge David Raya as the team’s number one. This will certainly be a challenge as Raya has won back-to-back Golden Glove awards in the past two seasons and was voted into the Premier League team of the year for the 2023/24 season.

Speaking to the club’s website after his move from rivals Chelsea was confirmed, Kepa said: “I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming.

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“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.”

The goalkeeper added: “I spoke with Kai [Havertz]. He was with Martin [Odegaard] so we were talking, we had a good chat together and they already started explaining a little bit about how everything works and how good the atmosphere is right now in the changing room. So, I can't wait to join.”

On Raya, Kepa said: “He’s a great goalkeeper and we have a very good relationship. "We will compete, we will train together, we will share a lot of time together. We will have competition, as with all the positions in the team, but with the only goal that is to win and be the best ones.”

Kepa will join the team for pre-season training and subsequently the pre-season tour of Asia, where the team will play games against AC Milan, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur. He could make his debut in any of the matches as Mikel Arteta looks to familiarise himself with a new-look squad. Kepa is expected to be the first of several summer additions.