Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vigorously defended his decision to start goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of David Raya following a bitter 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Spanish manager insisted he had to reward the shot-stopper for his earlier cup appearances, despite a costly error that handed Nico O'Reilly the opening goal.

A few years ago, FC Bayern Munich were on the verge of signing a current top Premier League goalkeeper.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has revealed that he could have joined Bayern Munich instead of the Gunners, before developing into a likely Premier League title winner in north London. The Spain international has become one of the best stoppers in Europe under Mikel Arteta's tutelage but it nearly didn't come to pass at all, given the interest from the Bundesliga giants.

Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a statement victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but it was the heroics of David Raya that left Mikel Arteta in awe. While goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice provided the spark at one end, the Spanish goalkeeper's late brilliance ensured the Gunners march on with confidence.

Arsenal restored their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a tense 2-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea on Sunday. The Gunners scored all three goals at the Emirates from set-pieces, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber netting either side of Piero Hincapie deflecting a Reece James corner into his own net.

There's just no stopping Set-piece FC! Arsenal performed poorly in Sunday's crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea at the Emirates, but still managed to eke out a vital 2-1 victory over the 10-man Blues that moves them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.