For the better part of last season, if you said Arsenal were eyeing a Real Sociedad midfielder, many would think of Martin Zubimendi.
However, weeks into the summer transfer window, everything changed. Later, it emerged that the Gunners, while scouting Zubimendi, were also impressed by his teammate, Mikel Merino.
Infact Given the reports of Mikel Arteta’s phone conversation with Merino and the talk of a deal of a lifetime waiting for the Spaniard at the Emirates Stadium, it seemed Arsenal had lost interest in Zubimendi. So, is that true?
According to Ben Jacobs on Give Me Sport, Arsenal is eager to activate Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause and would have done so last winter, but the player just does not want to leave Sociedad, which is why the links to the Spaniard have cooled.
Jacobs admits, “Arsenal still like Merino’s Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi and the issue is not his cost. The €60m (£50m) release clause might seem high, but it didn’t put Arsenal off in January. They know Zubimendi just loves Sociedad and had Champions League (football) last season. The challenge is persuading the player to leave.”
That said, signing Zubimendi would have been ideal for maximising Declan Rice’s potential. The Spaniard is an excellent 6 with exceptional ball skills; he’s a high-volume passer, a duel winner, and an excellent deep-lying player maker. As an out-and-out #6, he provides technical security from the back.
With Zubimendi at 6, Rice would have easily continued as the box-to-box midfielder he shone as in a number of games last season. With fewer defensive duties, the Englishman proved himself quite influential in Arsenal’s attacking play.
However, we can only expect the Merino (not Zubimendi) swoop. If he’s signed, he’ll still be a terrific addition to the Arsenal engine room, but it could just mean Rice continues as a 6. Or is Arsenal still trying to persuade Zubimendi to come to the Emirates?
Daniel O
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I sort of hope this is true because at least we’re after the right kind of midfielder but at some point we’ll need to look at alternatives of the same type (if there are any at all). There’s no point trying to force this through if his heart isn’t in it.
He would be a significant coup for Arsenal, but it seems he wants to remain where he is.
He has been quoted recently as saying: “Where am I going to play next season? I’m going to be at Real Sociedad. I have a contract with Real Sociedad and that’s where I’m most comfortable.” So, unless he changes his mind, it’s not on for this summer, anyway. Over to Edu’s “Plan B” (if there is one).
If there has already been this much resistance then we should stay away.
His performance against England when he substituted for Rodri at half time was very impressive indeed.Either Zubimendi or indeed his teammate, Merino would be excellent additions to facilitate the likely departure of the excellent, but injury prone Thomas Partey.
Time and time again, I scroll through comments and it’s always you jotting down my exact thoughts!
I thought he was a cut above in that game.
Yes! My own advice on this subject matter is, Arsenal SHOULD look for equal or more than Zubimendi’s or Merino’s quality alternative elsewhere to sign this summer.
More especially if the more preferable to sign Zubimendi continues to refuse to join Arsenal. And if the less preferable to sign Merino is proving too hard and unecessarily too costly for Arsenal sign him.
The problem is finding the players with “equal or more than Zubimendi’s or Merino’s quality” who are (a) available and (b) within Arenal’s price range.
It’s a very competitive market for top quality players in every position and clubs with far deeper pockets than Arsenal’s are always watching.
We have to be careful of approaching player not really interested in joining Arsenal, because they become cocky with their take it or leave it wage demands, because their not bothered if you turn them down. Then are they going to be really committed once they then get their overpaid wages.
I believe that’s why Arteta or Edu conflicted with Tony’s so called arrogance if the stories are true.
Wenger had similar arrogant problems interviewing Ibrahimovic, who would have been a brilliant addition to Arsenal. He went on to prove his longevity in playing at the highest level, so who really knows.
Attitude and commitment has to be one of the persuading factors, and his statement means he is content at staying where he is,
It seems plausible to me that zubimendi might not want to move away from Spain – seems to happen less and less but some struggle to adapt to living in a different country or simply don’t like the idea of it. I have no idea, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest zubimendi has said no or is not keen to join us because he thinks he’s better than us or something.
My goodness, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that Arsenal is still trying to convince this player to join them. He just doesn’t seem like the right fit for Arsenal. Time to shift our focus elsewhere.
whether Zudimendi or Merino we won’t see Rice go back to first choice #6, may be in a rare injury emergency but not consistently
both Arteta and Rice seem convinced that Attacking Midfield is part of Rice’s growth and development, brings out the best in Rice for the team
while many fans blame Havertz at #8 for our patchy form in the first half of last season, many believe Rice at #6 was as big or bigger part of that – certainly moving both forward in the second half of the season was transformational to our form and finish
if we needed a reminder then Rice for England in Euro’s was unrecognisable to his late season Arsenal form
Rice stays in Attacking Midfield whoever is recruited or not recruited
Sign Fofana!
Timber will be converted to Arsenal’s new DM. You heard it here first!
Arsenal1886, I agree rice best position is number 8, he is great at carrying the ball forward but needs to just add some more goal contributions to his overall game, but hopefully he will next season.
Wind, agree that Fofana would be a great option and great value for money at £20m, as an alternative number 6 to the versitle Timber, either could do a great job.
You are mistaken daveg as I have pointed out the possibility of using Timber as a DM on a number of occasions .Of course we could both be proved wrong by those in power.
I think we’d have this player by now if he was at all interested. This is the third season now that we have shown interest. I would love for us to get him because there aren’t many destroyers that have great ball-playing abilities. Most 6’s are all about the off-the-ball skills and the most impressive ball players aren’t generally designed to be especially tough out of possession. This window seems short on what we need we have this problem and we have a poor striker market Let’s hope we can get our ideal wide player