Arsenal can exploit a loophole in the rulebook for the Carabao Cup to play David Raya against Brentford, even though Premier League rules would ban the Spain goalkeeper.

The Gunners travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to start their latest EFL Cup journey on Wednesday. Arsenal are two-time winners of the competition but have not won the Carabao Cup since 1992/93. They also lost in the final during 2006/07, 2010/11 and 2017/18 since.

Brentford now stand as the first hurdle in Mikel Arteta’s way of adding another Carabao Cup to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet. The Bees reached the third round of the tournament by beating Newport County on penalties. Arsenal only enter now due to their European commitments.

Can David Raya play for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup vs Brentford?

Arteta moved to sign Raya on loan from Brentford in August to improve Arsenal’s chances of winning silverware this term. The 28-year-old switched west for north London in a year-long deal for £3m. The Gunners also secured an option to buy the Spain shot-stopper for £27m.

Arsenal also secured another clause in their loan agreement with Brentford that will let Raya play in the Carabao Cup. According to reports by football.london earlier this September, the Bees gave the Gunners written permission for Raya to face his parent club should they meet.

Rule 6.3 of the EFL’s Carabao Cup rulebook for the 2023/24 season notes that teams require written consent from the side that owns a player’s full registration for them to feature in the tournament whilst out on loan. Arsenal are understood to have secured that from Brentford.

David Raya cannot play against his parent club in the Premier League

So, Raya can play – should Arteta wish – when Arsenal travel to Brentford this Wednesday in the Carabao Cup third round. But Premier League rules will prevent Arteta from utilising the two-cap star at the Bees on November 25 and at home to Thomas Frank’s team on March 9.

Arteta will have to hope Aaron Ramsdale is fit to feature when Arsenal face Brentford in the Premier League. Raya has seemingly replaced the 25-year-old as their No1. He got the start in the top-flight against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, plus PSV in the Champions League.

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