Is David Raya able to play for Arsenal against Brentford?
David Raya is in line to make his first return to Brentford with Arsenal when the two sides meet at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Bees and the Gunners will go toe-to-toe in round three of the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal signed the Spanish goalkeeper on an initial season-long loan from Brentford during the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta looks set to make a number of changes to the lineup that drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Sunday.
Raya could come out for Aaron Ramsdale having taken his spot as Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper in recent weeks, but he might not have to drop to the bench.
Raya is in the unusual position of being eligible to face his parent club this Wednesday.
Though Premier League rules forbid loanees from playing against their employers, but those in cup competitions are slightly different.
Rule 6.3 of Carabao Cup regulations states: „Players registered on a temporary basis will not be eligible to play unless the club holding his full registration gives its written consent (also subject to any restrictions on the number of loan players prescribed by applicable Premier League Rules or League Regulations).“
At a press conference on Tuesday, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal secured permission from Brentford for Raya to play, though he will make a decision closer to kick-off as to whether the 28-year-old will start.
Arsenal completed the signing of Raya on loan for the 2023/24 season on August 15, with the Gunners paying £3m to Brentford.
The deal contains a £27m purchase clause and this is expected to be activated next summer. The structuring of the transfer was designed to ease the Financial Fair Play burden on Arsenal – Brentford agreed to such a proposal as the two clubs are on good terms.
Raya may not be the only player to swap Brentford for Arsenal, with 90min recently reporting that the Gunners are interested in striker Ivan Toney.