Martin Zubimendi has settled impressively at Arsenal since his summer move, but the transfer may never have happened without a nudge from a familiar face. Former Gunners left-back Nacho Monreal has revealed he urged Mikel Arteta to sign the Spanish midfielder years before the club eventually secured his signature.
Monreal, who shared a Real Sociedad dressing room with Zubimendi, said he contacted Arteta and the club to recommend the player. "I said to them: 'You need to look at Martin Zubimendi,'" Monreal explained. "Even from the beginning and from the first moment, you could see something different, you know, something special. You see this guy, he's 20 or 21 years old and he performs like he was already playing for 10 years."
The 26-year-old, who cost Arsenal £55million, had previously turned down a move to Liverpool, as Monreal recalled. "The truth is, Liverpool were in for him and he told me he was not ready to leave Real Sociedad. But this year, when he got the offer from Arsenal, he knew that it was the right moment, and it was the right place to go." Monreal added that Arteta's persuasive call played a key role, saying: "He's very, very clever but Arsenal really needed this kind of player."
Now working as a football agent, Monreal spent three seasons with Zubimendi before retiring in 2022. He believes the transfer represents excellent value despite the hefty fee. "Yes they paid a lot for him but he deserved it. He's still young and he's going to stay for the next six, seven, eight years, at his top level. It was a good move for Arsenal, and for Martin, of course."
Monreal also expressed delight at the impact of fellow Spaniards Mikel Merino and David Raya, who have been instrumental in Arsenal's title challenge. "Merino is playing so well, scoring a lot of goals. He didn't score this much when he was at Sociedad but now at Arsenal he's playing different roles and always giving 100 per cent," Monreal said. "Raya has also been unbelievable, making a lot of saves, he's been an amazing signing."
