How Kepa Arrizabalaga has managed to impress Arsenal despite his struggles at Chelsea

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Arsenal have surprised many by deciding to make a move for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been far from a success at Chelsea.

Chelsea signed Kepa from Athletic Bilbao for a whopping £71m fee back in 2018, but the goalkeeper has failed to meet expectations.

He lost his first-team spot after failing to convince and has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Bournemouth and Real Madrid respectively as a result.

It has been claimed that Chelsea offered Kepa to AC Milan in their bid to sign Mike Maignan, but it looks like Arsenal will be his destination this summer.

• READ MORE: Every Chelsea flop signed by Arsenal as Kepa Arrizabalaga nears controversial switch

Arsenal impressed with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s desire to join them

While Kepa has had his struggles at Chelsea, the 30-year-old had a bit of a revival at Bournemouth last term.

He was one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, recording a 73.9% save percentage. It was one of the highest in the division.

According to Sky Sports, though, what has really impressed Arsenal is Kepa’s desire to join them and fight for a place in their team.

It is a transfer that plenty of the club’s supporters also seem happy about. Some Arsenal fans have backed a move for Kepa on social media, claiming that he is better than Chelsea’s current first-choice goalkeeper Sanchez.

Of course, Sanchez may not be the Blues’ No.1 for much longer as they continue to pursue Maignan. It is not just Mikel Arteta, then, who could be getting a new shot-stopper this summer.

How Enzo Maresca responded when asked about recalling Kepa Arrizabalaga last season

Chelsea’s pursuit of Maignan comes after a campaign where both Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen made big mistakes between the sticks.

With neither goalkeeper being entirely convincing, Maresca was asked about recalling Kepa midway through the season. In response, the Chelsea boss bluntly said: “No, absolutely not.”

Kepa will now be hoping that Arteta shows him more love at the Emirates, a ground that has booed him in the past for being a Chelsea player.