Martin Zubimendi has revealed his decision to move to Arsenal, just a year after turning down a move to Liverpool.
The Spain international moved to north London for £55 million in the summer and has hit the ground running ever since.
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Zubimendi has started all seven of the Gunners’ Premier League games so far, helping them to the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side lead reigning champions Liverpool at the top and many would be quick to point out the irony in that.
That’s because Zubimendi appeared ready to move to the Reds last summer before turning his back on a deal at the last minute.
A transfer seemed incredibly close after the Merseyside giants triggered his £51million release clause, but a late change of heart saw the Spaniard stay at his hometown club for another year.
Twelve months later, Zubimendi could not resist the lure of English football, but Arsenal was his final destination.
Why did Zubimendi choose Arsenal?
The 26-year-old has now spoken out about why he rejected Liverpool’s advances and his move to the Emirates Stadium.
He told the Guardian: “When a 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 tough season but I learned a lot. I wanted to take a step forward and carry that weight after others left.”
Regarding his decision to choose the Gunners, Zubimendi pointed to manager Arteta as having played a key role in it.
He said of his compatriot: “I had seen Arsenal and I liked everything I saw in terms of passion, youth and the feeling you got when you watched them.”
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“And when Mikel Arteta called me… Well if you’ve ever spoken to him you know he can be very convincing.
“He’s crazy about football, crazy about having everything under control and trying to get something out of every little detail.
“He is very clear about everything and the suggestion he made was the best for me.”
How has Zubimendi been performed so far?
Since arriving in the summer, Zubimendi has played nine times for the Gunners and suffered defeat just once.
His standout performance to date came against Nottingham Forest when he scored two goals, including a stunning volley from outside the box, in the 3-0 win.
Zubimendi’s introduction to Arsenal’s midfield has also proven crucial in unlocking Declan Rice’s more attacking qualities.
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Because the Basque star is the deepest of his team’s three midfielders, he provides positional discipline and allows Rice to push further forward.
Zubimendi, who is best known for his ability on the ball, indicated that part of his decision to join Arsenal was to challenge himself as he insisted he was 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 the environment I was in at Real Sociedad and develop myself personally, to get to know a different culture, a different football.”
“The more you get out of it, the more you develop.”
And despite having to adapt to the more physical nature of English football, Zubimendi still believed Arsenal was a perfect fit for him.
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He explained: “I also choose a team based on my qualities: what they wanted from me. I have to adapt my game a little to play faster and more direct.”
“I’m a pivot, but in this structure I have the chance to take that step forward and Arteta is very insistent that I can play the final pass and make the difference. But I don’t think my profile changes much.”
“If they signed me, it’s because they like what I do. They know that’s exactly what I can bring to the team.”
“If I changed my profile, it would be a mistake.”