Former Brentford star Raya is now firmly established at the club’s No.1 but the decision to sanction the sale of Aaron Ramsdale left Mikel Artea short of a reliable backup.
Arsenal laid a significant amount of groundwork to sign Garcia, but eventually opted to divert their budget elsewhere and instead signed the experienced Neto on loan.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Brazilian signs permanently in the summer but Garcia appears hopeful that Arsenal will revive their interest.
He told Mundo Deportivo: “I am a very cold person in every sense and I think that this attitude helps me. I am very calm at Espanyol, with an opportunity that I have been waiting for a long time,”
‘It will be for the good of everyone (if I leave). Mine and the club, which is the one that has made me grow. It can’t be any other way.’
RCD Espanyol v Real Oviedo - LaLiga Hypermotion Play Off Final 2nd Leg
Joan Garcia has a £21m release clause at Espanyol
Arteta, meanwhile remains ‘uncertain’ whether or not Raya will be fit enough to make his return against Manchester City on Sunday.
Raya has been in sensational form this season and had been a near ever-present before he was forced to miss Wednesday’s win over Girona.
Arteta refused to reveal the nature of the 29-year-old’s injury in the wake of a 2-1 win that cemented Arsenal’s place in the last 16 without the need for a play-off.
Arsenal's goalkeeper Neto gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Neto joined Arsenal on loan from Bournemouth (Credits: AP)
On Thursday Arsenal were said to be optimistic that Raya would return and retain his place from Neto, who gave a worrying performance on his debut, but Arteta was giving little away in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
‘David we’re still uncertain,’ he said. ‘We have another session tomorrow. We have 48 hours so we will have to see.’
Arteta subsequently added that the injury was ‘muscular’ while he also confirmed Ben White is still several weeks away from making his eagerly anticipated comeback.
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