Zubimendi explains why he joined Arsenal & rejected Liverpool | OneFootball

Martin Zubimendi has explained why he finally decided to leave Real Sociedad for Arsenal this summer, having turned down Liverpool in 2024.

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It’s no secret that Liverpool tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2024, but the player rejected them to remain with the club of his youth at the time.

“It wasn’t the right moment [to go],” Zubimendi explained to The Guardian. “I stayed and it was a hard season but I learned a lot.”

Twelve months later, Zubimendi decided to join Arsenal, and he’s explained why he made a different decision a year later.

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“I had watched Arsenal and I liked everything I saw, in terms of passion, youth, the feeling you got watching them,” Zubimendi said.

“And when Mikel Arteta called me … Well, if you’ve ever spoken to him you’ll know that he can be very convincing.

“He’s mad about football, crazy about having everything under control, trying to get something from every little detail. He’s very clear on everything and the proposal he had was the best for me.”

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Zubimendi has certainly made a strong start in north London. In September, he was nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Month award, as well as the PFA’s Fans’ Player of the Month award.

On top of that, the 26-year-old actually won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for his volleyed strike against Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League and have two wins from two in the Champions League, with Zubimendi starting all but one of the Gunners’ eight games in the two competitions.

In the only match he didn’t start, the midfielder came off the bench for an hour and put in an influential performance. He’s been a key player in a team performing well, which is all you can really ask for after a summer transfer.