Former Liverpool star, Jamie Carragher, has said that Arsenal, through their manager, Mikel Arteta, stole Martin Zubimendi from Liverpool.
Zubimendi joined Arsenal this summer from Real Sociedad, with the Gunners paying a reported £55.8 million for the midfielder.
But before joining the Gunners, the midfielder was reportedly close to moving to Liverpool last summer, but dramatically turned the Reds down at the last minute.
He also reportedly turned Real Madrid down for a move to Arsenal.
Liverpool legend, Carragher, believes that Arteta probably convinced his fellow Spaniard to reject the other clubs.
He said that the Arsenal boss must have told the player to reject Liverpool last summer and stay at Real Sociedad for another year.
Carragher said on Stick to Football podcast, “I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool.
“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].
“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’.ĺll
“The deal was done about halfway through the season. Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal.”
Arsenal will hope to unleash Zubimendi and other signings on Manchester United on Sunday when both sides clash at Old Trafford in the opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
