Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta played a key role in convincing Martin Zubimendi to snub a move to Liverpool in favour of joining the Gunners.
Zubimendi completed a high-profile transfer from Real Sociedad to Arsenal this summer, with the North London club reportedly paying around £55.8 million for the Spanish midfielder.
However, Carragher revealed that Liverpool were close to signing Zubimendi last summer, only for the player to back out of the deal at the final moment. According to Carragher, Real Madrid were also interested, but Zubimendi ultimately chose Arsenal.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher said he believes Arteta personally intervened to persuade his fellow Spaniard to delay a move and eventually join Arsenal instead.
“I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool,” Carragher said. “He had agreed to come to Liverpool. He said he was coming – and at the last minute he said, ‘I don’t want to come. I’ll have another year [at Sociedad].’”
Carragher added that Arteta’s Basque roots may have played a part in building a connection with the player: “Mikel Arteta’s from the Basque area. There’s no doubt he’s been into him and said, ‘We’re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, we’ll come for you next season.’ The deal was done about halfway through the season. Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal.”
Arsenal fans will be eager to see Zubimendi in action as the Gunners take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday in their opening match of the 2025–26 Premier League season.
