“This guy joining Arsenal is giving me a sleepless nights, Arsenal will now be unstoppable…We tried everything to sign him but he chose Arsenal over us”: Liverpool coach Arne Slot says Arsenal is now the favourite to win Premier League after signing the most wanted player in Europe
Liverpool really wanted to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer.
Liverpool chased Zubimendi in the summer, and they were close to signing him at one point.
Zubimendi remained a Liverpool target heading into the January transfer window, but, unfortunately for the Reds, it looks like Zubimendi will be headed to Arsenal.
Zubimendi to Arsenal is agreed according to some, and a summer move could well be on the cards.
Speaking on Between the Lines, Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, has alluded to Zubimendi’s abilities when discussing his midfield makeup and how his Liverpool side operates.
Indeed, while Slot didn’t name Zubimendi directly, he said that there is a player Liverpool wanted to sign in the summer, which is out in the open, who was brilliant at bringing the ball from defence into the attack.
What Martin Zubimendi is really good at
Slot spoke about his midfield and what he wants from his holding midfield players.
The Liverpool boss spoke about why Ryan Gravenberch is so good, while he suggested that Zubimendi has a similar quality in terms of advancing the ball.
“The player we wanted to bring in. I think that’s pretty much out in the open now, he was also a player who was really comfortable. He’s still a player who could bring the ball from the last line to our forwards.
“This is a special quality Ryan has. The ability to turn away from his man. He is one of a few holding midfielders who can create an overload by a dribble.
“You don’t see that much as a number six. Yeah. I think the strength of this team is we defend as 11. He has two centre backs behind him too.”
Martin Zubimendi stats compared to Ryan Gravenberch
As Slot says, Zubimendi is a brilliant player who could’ve brought a lot to this Liverpool team, but the Reds haven’t missed him at all this season.
Indeed, Ryan Gravenberch has transformed this season.
Gravenberch has been compared to Patrick Vieira recently, and, statistically, he can go toe-to-toe with Zubimendi.
In terms of progressing the ball, Gravenberch’s dribbling and passing numbers are better than Zubimendi’s, but the Spaniard is making more tackles per game.
Zubimendi and Gravenberch could well be key players for both Arsenal and Liverpool next season, and who knows? Perhaps these two midfield options could define next year’s title race as the two clubs look to push for the Premier League title once again.
With Rodri at Manchester City, Zubimendi potentially joining Arsenal and Gravenberch at Liverpool, defensive midfield players could shape the Premier League in the coming years.
