Why Arsenal have offered David Raya a new contract with no extension as talks held with two other stars

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David Raya is one of the latest Arsenal stars to extend his contract at Arsenal, as TBR Football understands the club are looking to reward their players with the appropriate wages.

The goalkeeper has been one of the most consistent players in the squad ever since making the move to the Emirates Stadium in 2023 on an initial loan, which was made permanent in 2024.

In that time, David Raya has made himself the regular first-choice between the sticks, with Mikel Arteta favouring his reliability.

That has been rewarded with some fine performances and some personal accolades, as Raya has won the Golden Glove twice in his time at Arsenal.

Now that fine form has been rewarded with a new contract, which has an odd detail within it.

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Arsenal looking to reward players as Raya, Odegaard and Rice hold contract talks

The early work of Andrea Berta at Arsenal has been nothing short of impressive, with a summer window that featured eight signings and over £250 million, now followed up by several new contracts.

TBR Football understands talks have been booked for Bukayo Saka to earn a new deal, while Jurrien Timber is in line for a contract extension.

That’s on top of deals already completed for Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and William Saliba.

Now, it seems as though David Raya has received a new contract, but one that comes without an extension on the end date.

To some, that may be confusing, as Arsenal are simply offering more wages on the same contract, but the reasoning is very simple.

TBR Football chief reporter Graeme Bailey explained all as he revealed: “After Saliba and Saka, there was Timber but Raya, Odegaard and Rice too – they have all had conversations with Andrea Berta.

“Raya is 30 with three-and-a-half years left on his contract, they could have left it – like with Timber – but they are recognising players for their form and their stance in the squad and the game in general.

“And you have to do this really, if you are making Saliba one of the highest-paid defenders in the Premier League and are ready to make Saka the first 300k a week player, it makes sense.

“Arsenal have built great harmony in the squad, and they are now rewarding those players who are playing to the level they expect. It is a clear sign; you perform for us, you will be rewarded.”

That reward is now coming in for some of those players, with talks for Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice held over their own deals.

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David Raya’s Arsenal career so far in statistics

It’s fair to say that for an overall package of £30 million, Arsenal have done well with the signing of David Raya.

He is now widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and it’s no surprise to see why.

With 45 clean sheets in just over 100 games, Raya is keeping the ball out of the net nearly every other game.

It’s not just him, though, but a collective effort from the defensive unit as a whole.

With new deals for Saliba, Gabriel, Timber and Lewis-Skelly, it only makes sense that Raya is the next one to get a wage boost.