One of Arsenal’s Premier League-winning stars may not receive a champion’s medal despite the fact he’s been in every one of Mikel Arteta’s squads this term
World record-holder Kepa Arrizabalaga is at risk of missing out on a Premier League winners’ medal despite appearing in every Arsenal squad this season. Mikel Arteta has named the most expensive goalkeeper in history on his bench for all 37 league games so far this season, though he’s yet to make an appearance.
The Gunners officially clinched the English title for the first time since 2004 on Tuesday night. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth means they can no longer catch up with Arteta’s side, who will be presented with the trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Kepa, 31, has made 11 appearances for Arsenal in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium but they have all come in cup competitions. That includes the League Cup final defeat to Manchester City, where he copped a fair chunk of blame for the loss after Arteta decided to start him instead of No. 1 David Raya.
And Kepa, who broke the world-record fee for a keeper when he joined Chelsea for £72million in 2018, may miss out on another piece of silverware. That’s due to the fact he hasn’t met the threshold of five appearances needed to guarantee a league medal.
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The former Blues flop spent last season on loan at Bournemouth before joining Chelsea’s London rivals. And it’s ended up being a sound investment for the Spaniard after Arsenal triggered his £5m release clause.
Regular starter Raya, 30, continues to prove himself after some initial doubts following his 2023 transfer from Brentford. The Spain stopper has now won three consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards and hasn’t missed a minute of this term’s title-winning campaign.
While Kepa may not have made the necessary five appearances, however, he could still be gifted a Premier League winners’ medal. That’s because every title-winning team is awarded 40 commemorative medals to disperse among both players and staff.
A total of 24 players have made five or more appearances to date this term and automatically qualify for a medal. That leaves 16 for Arteta to hand out among his other players, coaches and staff members at his discretion.
Third-choice goalkeeper Tommy Setford is a greater doubt to receive a medal after also failing to appear in the Premier League this term. The 2024 signing from Ajax was an official member of Arsenal’s first-team squad this term but his only senior appearance came in the FA Cup clash against Mansfield.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri will get his hands on a medal despite leaving the club in January. He made six substitute appearances in the Premier League prior to joining Marseille on loan, meaning he’s assured a piece of history upon his return.
