Arsenal has officially completed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a fee of £5 million. The Spanish international joins the Gunners on a three-year deal, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the Emirates Stadium.

Kepa, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, made 35 appearances for the Cherries. His arrival at Arsenal is expected to provide stiff competition for fellow Spaniard David Raya. Kepa expressed his excitement about the move, stating, "I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming. 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 30-year-old goalkeeper is still the world's most expensive goalkeeper, having moved to Chelsea in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for £71 million. During his time at Chelsea, Kepa made 163 appearances and was part of the squads that won the Champions League, Europa League, and Club World Cup. He also spent a year on loan at Real Madrid, where he helped them secure La Liga and the Champions League titles during the 2023-24 season.

Despite his high-profile transfer to Chelsea, Kepa has often been a subject of scrutiny due to his hefty price tag. BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella noted, "Kepa was a victim of his £71m price tag at Chelsea. He was deemed the best possible option when Thibaut Courtois forced his exit from the Blues in 2018 and Alisson turned down Chelsea to join Liverpool. However, he quickly proved he was not worth either the fee nor his previous £190,000-a-week wages."

Nevertheless, Kepa has always been regarded as a top professional and a positive character within the team. His arrival at Arsenal is seen as a strategic move by Mikel Arteta to bolster the team's defensive options and increase competition for the starting goalkeeper position.

Arsenal's recent transfer activities have been focused on strengthening their squad to compete at the highest level. With Kepa's addition, the Gunners aim to build on their recent performances and challenge for major trophies in the upcoming season.