Not Saka or Timber: Surprise Arsenal star agrees new contract

Arsenal handed goalkeeper David Raya an improved contract in the summer, according to various reports.

Since the transfer window closed, the Gunners have been hard at work tying their biggest stars down to fresh deals to keep them at the club long-term.

Wonderkids Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been rewarded with bumper new contracts to reflect their status as valuable first-team stars, and Arsenal also pulled off the coup of agreeing an extension with William Saliba.

The superstar defender had been attracting interest from Real Madrid, but the North London club, who are one of the favourites for this season’s Premier League title, managed to get Saliba to agree to a long-term stay.

Next up on the agenda are new deals for Bukayo Saka, who is likely to become the club’s best-paid player, and defender Jurrien Timber. Progress is being made on both fronts and these renewals should be announced within the next days or weeks.

Raya handed improved Arsenal contract

Given that Arsenal enjoyed a spectacular summer window in terms of incomings, contract extensions were put on the back burner, hence the flurry of announcements since the transfer period ended.

However, Arsenal were still active on that front while simultaneously working on signings. Leandro Trossard, for example, was given a pay rise – but not an extension – during the window to better reflect his value to Mikel Arteta and to fend off interest from suitors.

Now, various sources, including the BBC and Sky Sports, have revealed that goalkeeper David Raya was given a similar new contract in the summer.

His deal remains active until 2028, as was the case previously, but the Spaniard has been handed a pay increase after establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Raya joined Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Brentford in 2023 and quickly supplanted Aaron Ramsdale. His stay at the Emirates was made permanent for €31.9 million in 2024. He has to date made 105 appearances for the Gunners.

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