Arsenal star lauds Barcelona summer arrival – ‘Wouldn’t be where they are if it weren’t for him’

Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper David Raya has used an interview with Catalunya Radio to praise new Barcelona signing Joan Garcia, insisting the Catalan club’s early-season surge owes much to the 24-year-old’s impact between the posts.

Garcia, who joined Barça in the summer, received his first senior international call-up for the current window alongside Raya, Unai Simón and Alex Remiro, setting up a direct duel for Spain’s final roster spots ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yet Raya, 29, insists the rivalry does not diminish his admiration for the newcomer.

“Joan Garcia is at a very high level,” Raya told the radio station. “Barça wouldn’t be where they are if it weren’t for him.”

The Arsenal stopper underlined Garcia’s character as well as his ability, adding: “He’s a good guy, which is important, and he’s a goalkeeper. If the coach decides he has to play, we’ll help him from the start.”

Garcia will have to wait for his Spain debut after being left out of Friday’s friendly against Serbia, but could earn minutes next week when La Roja meet Egypt at the RCDE Stadium.

Raya also looked ahead to a potential Champions League showdown with the Blaugrana. Arsenal face Sporting CP in the quarter-finals, while Barcelona take on Atlético Madrid; victories for both Spanish and English sides would set up a blockbuster semi-final clash.

“It would be an honour to be able to face Barça in the semi-finals of the Champions League,” Raya said. “They are a very well-worked team, both defensively and offensively, and it is proven that they are getting very good results both in the League and in the Champions League.”