Why This Goalkeeper Should Be Andrea Berta’s Top Choice for Arsenal’s First Signing

Mikel Arteta appears to have a penchant for regularly shaking up the goalkeeper slots within his team. Once Andrea Berta is officially announced as Arsenal’s new sporting director, he might consider Espanyol’s Joan Garcia as his initial acquisition.

However, Arsenal have other priorities to address, particularly following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, which may see them wrap up the season without a conventional striker. The focus will undoubtedly shift to sourcing a replacement over the summer, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak being identified as a key target.

Midfield reinforcements are also on the cards. Reports indicate that Arsenal are in advanced discussions with Real Sociedad regarding defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who could follow a similar path to Mikel Merino from last summer. Additionally, teenage talent Sverre Nypan from Norway’s Rosenborg is gaining attention and is believed to be high on the wishlist.

Nevertheless, the goalkeeping situation cannot be overlooked. David Raya, 29, is expected to be the starting goalkeeper next season, having held that role for the past two years. The question remains: who will provide backing and ultimately challenge him for the number one position?

Currently, Norberto Neto fills that role, stepping in following Aaron Ramsdale’s summer transfer to Southampton. However, with the Brazilian set to turn 36 in the summer and his loan from Bournemouth likely not being extended, his future at the club is uncertain.

Also returning from his loan at Valladolid is Estonian keeper Karl Hein, though his save percentage hovers around the 60% mark for a side that sits at the bottom of LaLiga.

There’s a goalkeeper in LaLiga who should be on Arsenal’s radar, and reports suggest that discussions have already commenced. That player is Joan Garcia from Espanyol.

Joan Garcia’s strengths

Currently, Espanyol finds themselves in 15th position in the league, largely thanks to the efforts of their goalkeeper. This was exemplified in their recent 1-1 draw against Girona, where they were vastly outshot 18-7 with Girona recording an xG of 1.6 compared to Espanyol’s mere 0.27. The only factor preventing the Periquitos from claiming all three points—and Garcia from securing a clean sheet—was a penalty by Cristhian Stuani.

This match was a textbook illustration of Espanyol’s season. They may have been outplayed and outshot, yet Joan Garcia has consistently managed to keep them in the contest. The 23-year-old leads LaLiga with a remarkable 96 total saves and ranks third in saves made from within the box (59), demonstrating his ability to withstand intense pressure.

If he were to join Arsenal, he would find himself in a markedly different environment. Similar to Raya’s transition from Brentford to the Emirates, or any goalkeeper stepping up from a lower-ranked team to a title contender, Garcia wouldn’t face relentless pressure from stronger opponents. However, when called upon, he must rise to the occasion and deliver crucial saves.

Two statistics illustrate where Garcia might hold an advantage over Raya in their battle for the starting position in the near future. He is proactive in dealing with crosses, leading the league in punches (16) and catches (5), while Raya ranks 21st in the Premier League for punches, with only 5 to his name. This may be expected, considering Garcia boasts a height advantage of 10 cm over Raya.

Close to a deal

Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s incoming sporting director, is well-acquainted with LaLiga from his successful time at Atletico Madrid, making it no surprise that he might initially target talent from that league. If reports hold true, Berta will be stepping into the final negotiations between Arsenal and Espanyol to establish the deal’s particulars.

The Athletic reported in early February that the Gunners initiated discussions with Joan Garcia’s representatives during their trip to Spain for a Champions League fixture against Girona. Berta’s primary objective will be to negotiate a suitable fee for the Spanish goalkeeper.