“I tried to convince him to join Liverpool but he’s so adamant to join Arsenal…He has decided to ruin his own carer”: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is not happy £90million superstar has choosen to join Arsenal over Liverpool
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has subtly applauded Martin Zubimendi’s qualities as the midfielder edges towards a move to Arsenal.
The Reds and the Gunners have both been linked with the Real Sociedad midfielder, who has continued to see his stock rise. Liverpool were in the hunt for the Spaniard after he produced an excellent cameo in the final of Euro 2024, but missed out.
Mikel Arteta had been tracking Zubimendi prior to that and it is reported that Arsenal have secured a deal to sign the 25-year-old come the summer. Liverpool’s interest was well documented as they embarked on a summer-long quest to land the midfielder.
Slot though has made great use of the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who has begun to realise the potential he showed as a youngster. The Liverpool boss insists Zubimendi – without naming him – would’ve been more than comfortable operating in their midfield – such are his attributes.
He told TNT Sports when discussing his deeper midfielders standing in the pocket between the opposition midfield and attack: “I prefer them to get the ball behind those two. Therefore these two (Liverpool centre-backs) are so important that we can find them behind those two (first line of opposition press), instead of asking the ball over here or there or there (wide). We prefer them keep more in midfield.
“I even think the player that we wanted to bring in – I think it’s out in the open that much – was also a player that was really comfortable, is still a player that is really comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball from our last line to our forwards.”
Arsenal will be the team to benefit from those talents if he does end up making the switch to the Emirates. Arteta is keen to strengthen his team, ideally in January, but may have to wait until the summer to land some major recruits.
The north Londoners are not short of talent in the middle of the pitch. Martin Odegaard is the team’s playmaker and has commanded the No 10 role with the likes of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey operating behind him with the Englishman particularly earning continued plaudits.
Liverpool meanwhile haven’t struggled despite missing out on Zubimendi. Federico Cheisa became their only summer signing and even he has barely featured with Slot maximising the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are clear at the top of the Premier League and sit top of the Champions League standings.
