Former Arsenal captain William Gallas has warned the Gunners they are making a ‘strange’ transfer mistake by spending £5million on Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arizabalaga.
The 30-year-old Spanish goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Bournemouth and contributed to a superb season for the Cherries.
Despite an impressive campaign, Arrizabalaga has been deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea who are willing to let a player who once cost them £72m leave for a modest fee.
Arsenal are looking to sign a new goalkeeper to provide competition for David Raya who firmly established himself as the club’s undisputed No.1 last season.
The Gunners held long-term interest in Espanyol’s Joan Garcia but he has opted to join Barcelona where he is likely to instantly become first choice.
Undeterred by that setback, Arsenal have moved swiftly to secure the services of a player with a proven Premier League pedigree, much to the bafflement of former Gunners captain William Gallas.
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“I think Kepa to Arsenal would be a strange signing,’ he told Prime Casino (via Metro).
“The second choice goalkeeper should be a young player who is learning that can take over from David Raya in a few years time.
“I’m not sure why you’d bring in someone who is older than him with no eye to the future.
“Arsenal should be looking for someone in their early 20s who can learn and grow, playing in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
“Kepa isn’t that player.”
Arrizabalaga was in goal when Chelsea thrashed Arsenal 4-1 in the final of the Europa League in the 2018/2019 season.
Also, he is a Champion League (2020/2021), UEFA Super Cup (2021) and FIFA Club World Cup (2021) winnee at Chelsea.
