RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García has insisted he was not distracted by a potential move to Arsenal this summer.
Mundo Deportivo cover comments from the Spanish goalkeeper today after a busy summer of being linked with a move to the Emirates.
García was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer as the Gunners shaped their squad for another Premier League title challenge.
The belief was that the Gunners had lined up a move for the 23-year-old as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who was keen to move on after falling behind David Raya.
Ramsdale did eventually depart, joining Southampton, which had seemingly cleared the way for García to end up at Arsenal before the end of the window.
Instead, they ended up signing goalkeeper Bournemouth Neto on loan from Bournemouth, preferring to sign a veteran temporarily to back up Raya after big deals for Riccardo Calafiori, Miel Merino and signing Raya permanently.
That left García to continue at Espanyol, were he has been establishing himself in the last few seasons and earning plenty of praise.
And he insists his focus was always on the Spanish side, with Arsenal’s interest not distracting him as some might think.
“During the entire market I was quite isolated,” he said.
“I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting. The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.
“Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this – playing with Espanyol in the First Division – and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it.
“With the Olympic Games I came when the season was already beginning. I’ve barely had time to think about it. It was the opportunity I’ve been working for, and I couldn’t afford to have my head out of it. Everything comes to you, but I had to be very calm with my head where it should be.”
