Raya's Road Not Taken: Bayern Munich Nearly Landed Arsenal's Spanish Keeper

David Raya has lifted the lid on a transfer that might have been, admitting he stood at the precipice of joining Bayern Munich before Arsenal intervened with their own approach for the Spanish stopper.

The 30-year-old arrived at the Emirates initially on loan from Brentford, with the Gunners later converting the deal into a permanent arrangement worth roughly £27m. Installed as a successor to Aaron Ramsdale, Raya has since transcended expectations to become one of football's premier goalkeepers.

"The coach, the philosophy, the project—everything about it appealed to me," Raya explained when discussing his decision-making process. "Coming from Brentford, I wanted to take that significant step forward, and Arsenal represented the best platform for that move. The club was on an upward trajectory with such a youthful squad, which made it the ideal choice."

Yet fortune could easily have written a different script. "I was incredibly close to joining another club," Raya continued. "Everything was happening simultaneously, and I found myself at a crossroads. In the end, Arsenal made their move at precisely the right moment, and here I am."

When pressed to identify the club in question, Raya named Bayern Munich—the Bavarian powerhouse that had nearly captured his signature.

The Spaniard's performances have not gone unnoticed, with Thierry Henry among those tipping him for Player of the Season honours as Arsenal pursue silverware across multiple competitions.

The Carabao Cup Conundrum

Attention now turns to Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, where a selection headache awaits Mikel Arteta. The manager must decide between Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga for the showpiece occasion at Wembley.

Paul Merson has weighed into the debate, suggesting Arsenal should maintain consistency with their cup campaign selection. "Kepa's been the first-choice keeper throughout this competition and has delivered," Merson reasoned. "Loyalty matters. That said, Raya is genuinely world-class—those stops against Everton and Leverkusen were absolutely stunning. Still, I'd stick with Kepa. He's earned his place and hasn't let anyone down."

The tactical considerations extend beyond goalkeeping, with Merson anticipating Arteta will field Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, and Viktor Gyokeres in an attacking setup alongside Eberechi Eze, who enjoyed a successful previous Wembley experience. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi would anchor the midfield in this proposed formation.

Arsenal carry genuine swagger into the encounter, though City remain formidable opposition—and Eze's proven pedigree at the national stadium could prove decisive.