Martin Zubimendi has opened up on his decision to join Arsenal, just a year after turning down a move to Liverpool.
The Spanish international completed a £55million switch to north London in the summer, and has hit the ground running since.
Zubimendi has started all seven of the Gunners’ Premier League games so far, helping them to the top of the table in the process.
Mikel Arteta’s side lead reigning champions Liverpool at the summit, and many would be quick to point out the irony to this.
That is because last summer, Zubimendi looked all set to join the Reds, before turning his back on a deal at the final hour.
A transfer appeared incredibly close after the Merseyside giants triggered his £51m release clause, but a late change of heart saw the Spaniard remain at his hometown club for another year.
Fast forward 12 months, and Zubimendi was unable to resist the lure of English football this time around, but with Arsenal his final destination.
Why did Zubimendi choose Arsenal?
The 26-year-old has now spoken out on why he turned down Liverpool’s advances, and his move to the Emirates Stadium.
He told the Guardian: “When any proposal comes, the first question has to be whether to stay at la Real.
“And it wasn’t the right moment [to go]. I stayed and it was a hard season but I learned a lot. I wanted to step forward, take that weight after others went.”
As for his decision to choose the Gunners, Zubimendi pointed to manager Arteta for playing a key role in this.
He said of his compatriot: “I had watched Arsenal and I liked everything I saw, in terms of passion, youth, the feeling you got watching them.
Zubimendi is plying his trade away from Real Sociedad for the first time in his careerGetty GettyArne Slot had wanted to make the Spaniard his first signing as Liverpool boss[/caption]“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.”
How was Zubimendi performed so far?
Since his summer arrival, Zubimendi has played nine times for the Gunners, and has only tasted defeat once.
His standout performance so far came against Nottingham Forest, when he scored twice in a 3-0 win, including a stunning volley from outside the box.
Zubimendi’s introduction to the Arsenal midfield has also proved crucial in unlocking Declan Rice‘s more attacking qualities.
GettyZubimendi’s stunning volley against Forest won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for September[/caption]With the Basque star the deepest of his team’s midfield three, he provides positional discipline, allowing Rice to push further forward.
Best known for his ability on the ball, Zubimendi claimed part of his decision to join Arsenal was to challenge himself, as he insisted he is up to the physical demands of his new role.
He continued: “It would be easy to stay in my comfort zone.
“But I wanted to leave that environment where I was with Real Sociedad and grow in a personal sense, to see another culture, another football.
“The more you come out of that, the more you develop.”
And despite having to adapt to the more physical nature of English football, Zubimendi still believed Arsenal was the perfect fit for him.
Zubimendi’s arrival has helped release Rice, who got on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s most recent win over West HamOffside via GettyHe explained: “I choose a team on the basis of my qualities too: what they wanted from me. I have to adapt my play a bit in terms of playing faster, more direct.
“I’m a pivot, but in this structure I have the chance to take that step forward and Arteta insists a lot that I can play that final pass and make the difference. But I think my profile doesn’t change much.
“If they have signed me it is because they like what I do. They know this is what I can contribute to the team.
“If I changed my profile it would be an error.”
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