Arsenal can still repeat Cristiano Ronaldo trick after confirming David Raya shirt number

David Raya has been allocated a shirt number after completing his season-long loan move to Arsenal, but there's a scenario that could see him make a change

David Raya's Arsenal shirt number has been confirmed after completing a season-long loan move from Brentford.

With the 2023/24 Premier League campaign already under way, the chances of the Spaniard wearing No.1 - as unlikely as it was given Aaron Ramsdale is the current incumbent of that particular squad number - were dashed meaning he's had to settle for number 22 instead.

He broke into the Blackburn Rovers first-team picture wearing No.33 and has worn No.13 - widely regarded as the perfect squad number for a goalkeeper - with the Spanish national team. But to get any of those at Arsenal he required one of two current senior players at the club to vacate it prior to his signing being announced.

This is because if the goalkeeper struts out at Selhurst Park wearing number 22, as per Premier League rules, he will not be able to change it until the following season. 'While he remains with the Club a Player will retain his shirt number throughout the Season for which it was allocated,' a statement reads.

Although whether Raya would go down that route or request a change if one of the two aforementioned transfers are completed by the end of the week remains to be seen as he could opt to simply stick with number 22 and look to make alterations next year if he earns a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium.

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