Arsenal Kepa Us Waiting Long Enough!

The first signing of the summer took a while to be officially announced, but finally the club have confirmed Neto's replacement.

Here's a breakdown of Kepa Arrizabalaga's career 

⚽ Career Snapshot: Kepa Arrizabalaga

• Full name: Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta (born October 3, 1994 in Ondarroa, Spain) 

• Height/Position: 1.88 m; Goalkeeper

• Club history:

• Athletic Bilbao → €80 m → Chelsea in 2018 (world‑record fee for a goalkeeper) 

• Loaned to Real Madrid (2023–24): 14 LaLiga games, 7 clean sheets, 30 saves 

• Loaned to Bournemouth (2024–25): 31 Premier League apps, 97 saves, 8 clean sheets, 39 goals conceded (1.26 GAA) 

• Career totals at club level: 347 senior appearances, 43 Premier League clean sheets from 140 PL appearances, 352 saves 

• Save efficiency: ~72–74% save rate; 25–26% clean-sheet ratio (PL), ~1.23–1.26 goals conceded per 90 min 

• Honours:

• UEFA Europa League 2019, Champions League 2021 with Chelsea; LaLiga & Champions League 2024 with Real Madrid ()

• Individual: Premier League Save of the Month (Oct '22, Feb '25), Save of the Season 2022–23 

🧤 Blog Article for The Loose Cannon

Headline: "Kepa's Next Stop: A Low‑Key Arrival with High Stakes at Arsenal"

1. A Record‑Making Journey

Once signed from Athletic Bilbao for a record-breaking €80 million in 2018, Kepa's early years at Chelsea were a wild ride—from dramatic shoot-out heroics to high-profile benchings  .

2. Rebirth via Loans

His spell at Real Madrid reinforced his pedigree: 7 clean sheets across 14 top-tier games; the following season at Bournemouth saw 31 games with 8 shutouts and 97 saves, signifying his return to consistent form  .

3. Arsenal Move: Quiet but Calculated

On July 1, Arsenal activated a £5 million release clause, securing Kepa on a two-to-three-year contract—agreed by Chelsea, Arsenal, and the player himself. He arrives as solid backup (and challenger) to David Raya, wearing the No. 13 shirt  .

4. Why It Makes Sense

Mikel Arteta praised his professionalism and hunger to win. Kepa brings extensive experience and a winning mindset—vital assets for a title-chasing Arsenal squad  .

5. What to Expect

• Expect strong competition with Raya—training will be intense.

• Kepa's distribution and shot-stopping ℹ️ will be key during cup runs or injury spells.

• His pedigree (European trophies and softeners in big moments) provides calm insurance for high-stress scenarios.

🎥 Highlight Reel

Watch Sky Sports breakdown of the signing:

Bottom line: Arsenal haven't named a starter yet, but Kepa's arrival suggests smart depth. With pedigree, character, and renewed form, he's a risk-free gamble. He may not get the headlines—but when the chips fall, you'd rather have the man who's already done it.

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