ARSENAL have announced the signing of goalkeeper Neto from Bournemouth.
The Gunners have agreed a deal to bring the Brazilian shot-stopper to the Emirates on a season-long loan.
Neto, 35, comes in to provide cover for starting keeper David Raya after Arsenal sold Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton earlier today.
Speaking after sealing his move from the south coast, Neto said: “I’m realising a dream in my life, a dream come true, and I’m really, really happy.
“I had two dreams as a kid to play for a football team. It was my team in Brazil, where I grew up and became a professional footballer, and also Arsenal. And now I’m realising it! I’m a really lucky person.
“To all the supporters of Arsenal, I’d just like to say I’m one more fan here.
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“My dream has come true, I’m really happy. Depend on me, I’ll give more than 100% to give everything for Arsenal.”
However, fans have noticed an issue with the transfer that could mean that Neto’s dream of playing for Arsenal may not come true until at least January.
The former Barcelona and Juventus keeper is actually CUP-TIED for the Carabao Cup.
Neto started in Bournemouth’s 1-0 loss to West Ham in the cup competition on Wednesday, meaning he can’t represent another team in the tournament going forward.
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That could spell trouble for his time with Arsenal with the gloveman unlikely to start Premier League games over David Raya – who won last season’s Prem Golden Glove award.
If Neto is used a ‘cup keeper’, as many second choice goalkeepers are, that means he won’t play for Arsenal until they enter the FA Cup in the Third Round.
That stage of the competition isn’t set to take place until January 11, possibly putting a four-month delay on his Arsenal debut.
Of course, Neto could still end up playing Premier League games and will be a valuable back-up choice in case of injury to Raya.
While Mikel Arteta could opt to use him in the Champions League with the new format meaning Arsenal play eight games in the league stage before the knockouts.
But that hasn’t stopped Arsenal fans from having a meltdown on social media.
One wrote: “He’s not touching grass until January loool. Can’t believe we signed a GK who’s cup tied in the one competition he would’ve been used.”
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Chelsea reportedly remain in talks to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, with time running out for the Blues to complete a deal.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney is expected to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, according to reports.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
In other news, Chelsea and Juventus remain in discussions over a deal for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho ahead of the 11pm deadline.
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While another added: “So you’re telling me he won’t play a single game until January…”.
A third commented: “Bro is gonna play like twice”.
And a fourth fumed: “What kind of nonsense is this from Edu and Arteta”.
Arsenal were in need of a backup keeper regardless of Neto’s Carabao Cup status given they let Ramsdale head to Southampton earlier today and already sent 22-year-old Karl Hein on loan to Real Valladolid earlier in the window.
Neto may not be Arsenal’s final signing of the window either, despite there being just a matter of hours before the deadline passes.
The Gunners have been linked with a late loan move to sign frozen out Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.
While reports suggest that Reiss Nelson could be heading to Ipswich Town on loan too.
