Tennis icon Rafael Nadal has fired an Arsenal message to compatriot and Gunners’ goalkeeper David Raya.
The Gunners are moving ever closer to the start of pre-season training as they look ahead to the new Premier League campaign. Arsenal will kick-start their pre-season preparations on July 23 against AC Milan, where they travel to Singapore.
That will be followed by a friendly match against Newcastle United before the Gunners make the trip to Hong Kong to face rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Emirates Cup will also return this summer as Arsenal host Lyon on August 11 in north London. Raya will be hoping to build up his preparations for the new season by featuring in their friendly fixtures over the next few weeks.
Before then, though, Raya has met up with tennis legend Nadal in his homeland. The 22-time grand slam champion has sent a message to Raya, which includes his best wishes for the season ahead, with Arsenal and for Spain ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The message also coincides with the start of Wimbledon which takes place this week, a tournament which Nadal won twice across his illustrious career.
“Thank you [David Raya] for your visit these days to the [Rafa Nadal Academy],” wrote Nadal on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Best of luck next season with Arsenal in the Premier League and with [Spain] in such a wonderful World Cup year!”
Raya will have fresh competition when he returns to pre-season training with Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners confirmed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – earlier this week in a £5million deal. The expectation is that Kepa will serve as the back-up to Raya – with the former Blues player brought in following the end of Neto’s loan spell from AFC Bournemouth.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign will kick-off on Sunday, August 17, with an away trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a crucial summer transfer window if they want to push Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next season and you can stay up to date with every breaking news story, opinion and more…
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