Arsenal have received the Premier League for the primary time since 2004 however one former £72m signing might not get a winners’ medal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is vulnerable to lacking out on a Premier League winners’ medal (Picture: David Value, Arsenal FC through Getty Photos) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
World record-holder Kepa Arrizabalaga faces the prospect of being denied a Premier League winners’ medal regardless of that includes in each Arsenal squad this season. Mikel Arteta has included the costliest goalkeeper in historical past amongst his substitutes for all 37 league fixtures thus far this marketing campaign, but he is but to step onto the pitch.
The Gunners formally secured the English title for the primary time since 2004 on Tuesday night time. Manchester Metropolis’s 1-1 stalemate at Bournemouth means they’ll not overhaul Arteta’s males, who will obtain the trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Kepa, 31, has turned out 11 instances for Arsenal in his debut marketing campaign on the Emirates however they’ve all occurred in cup competitions. That features the League Cup remaining loss to Manchester Metropolis, the place he shouldered a good portion of criticism for the defeat after Arteta opted to pick him as an alternative of No. 1 David Raya.
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And Kepa, who shattered the world-record payment for a keeper when he joined Chelsea for £72million in 2018, could also be disadvantaged of one other piece of silverware. That is as a result of he hasn’t happy the edge of 5 appearances required to ensure a league medal.
The previous Blues flop spent final season on mortgage at Bournemouth earlier than becoming a member of Chelsea’s London rivals. And it is proved to be a shrewd funding after Arsenal activated his £5m launch clause.
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Common starter Raya, 30, has continued to silence early doubters following his 2023 transfer from Brentford. The Spain stopper has now claimed three consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards and hasn’t missed a single minute of this season’s title-winning marketing campaign.
Though Kepa might not have made the required 5 appearances, he may nonetheless be handed a Premier League winners’ medal. It’s because each title-winning membership receives 40 commemorative medals to distribute amongst gamers and workers.
Kepa was beforehand criticised for his efficiency within the League Cup remaining loss to Manchester Metropolis (Picture: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Photos)
A complete of 24 gamers have made 5 or extra appearances this time period and routinely qualify for a medal. That leaves 16 for Arteta to allocate amongst his remaining gamers, coaches and backroom workers at his personal discretion.
Third-choice goalkeeper Tommy Setford faces better uncertainty over receiving a medal, having additionally didn’t characteristic within the Premier League this season. The 2024 signing from Ajax was an official member of Arsenal’s first-team squad however his sole senior outing got here within the FA Cup conflict in opposition to Mansfield.
In the meantime, Ethan Nwaneri is ready to obtain a medal regardless of departing the membership in January. The teen made six substitute appearances within the Premier League earlier than becoming a member of Marseille on mortgage, that means he’s assured his personal piece of historical past upon his return.
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