Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was among the players Arsenal discussed for a summer transfer, but he didn’t meet Inaki Cana’s specifications.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Marcus Bettinelli of Chelsea in action during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge on January 08, 2022. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Arsenal were on the lookout for new goalkeepers in the summer transfer window, and one option they considered was Chelsea’s Marcus Bettinelli.
James McNicholas and James Horncastle report for The Athletic that Bettinelli was one of several goalkeeping candidates Arsenal discussed, but he ultimately didn’t meet the requirements of club goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana.
Cana wanted the club to sign Joan Garcia and Dan Bentley, but both moves fell apart due to their respective clubs’ unwillingness to negotiate at a price Arsenal considered acceptable.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Marcus Bettinelli of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
The Gunners still managed to sign four goalkeepers in the summer window.
David Raya joined from Brentford on a permanent deal, having spent the 2023/24 season with Arsenal on loan, AFC Bournemouth’s Neto made a deadline-day loan move to act as Raya’s backup.
The other two goalkeeper signings were Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard, both 18 years olds intended as academy additions. Though with Arsenal’s failure to sign a senior third-choice goalkeeper, Setford looks like stepping up to that role.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Marcus Bettinelli of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Molineux on December 24, 2023. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
It’s no real surprise Arsenal made so many goalkeeping signings, as the club let go of twice as many players in the position.
Raya ended his loan spell, Aaron Ramsdale left for Southampton, and Karl Hein joined Real Valladolid on loan to gut Arsenal’s senior options.
From the academy, Ovie Ejeheri joined Midtjylland, Arthur Okonkwo moved to Wrexham, Noah Cooper joined Stoke City, James Hillson left for Southend United, Owen Asemota is joining Aston Villa, and Hubert Graczyk has seemingly joined Manchester United.
In all, that’s nine goalkeepers departing and just four joining, if you include Raya in both tallies. Four signings doesn’t seem like such a large number in that context.
