Andrea Berta was keen for Arsenal to pursue a different No.6 rather than Martin Zubimendi.

According to reports, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta aimed to sign an alternative No.6 instead of Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window.

In July, the Gunners invested £60m to bring Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a Spanish club – however, the situation could have unfolded quite differently.

The Athletic reports that the agreement for the defensive midfielder was established before Berta assumed his position last year.

The publication further notes that had Berta been in his role sooner, he would have preferred ‘other candidates’ for the No.6 position.

It remains uncertain which alternative No.6 Berta had in mind – nonetheless, Arsenal was linked to several defensive midfielders prior to the announcement of the Zubimendi transfer.

Various sources suggested that Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios was a viable option for the Gunners instead of Zubimendi.

Additionally, Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume was reported to be among the candidates on Arsenal’s radar.

Arsenal was also thought to be interested in a deal for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who is capable of playing in the No.6 position.

Zubimendi has participated in all three of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season, contributing to victories over Manchester United and Leeds United before the defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.

Concerns from a former Arsenal star regarding Zubimendi

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has expressed worries that his former club may have overpaid for Zubimendi, fearing that the 26-year-old might lack the passing range necessary to dismantle resilient defences.

‘He’s not dynamic,’ Robson stated to ESPN. ‘He plays the holding role and maintains possession well, but during my commentary on La Liga, I often joke about how infrequently he passes the ball forward.

‘He rarely makes forward passes – there are no penetrating or goal-scoring passes; he simply keeps the ball moving.

“Many players are capable of that, and you are investing a significant amount in a player who merely facilitates the flow of the game.”

“Jamie Carragher accused Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta of undermining Liverpool’s transfer efforts for Zubimendi last month, stating, ‘Arteta stole Zubimendi from Liverpool!’

“On the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher expressed his belief that Arteta indeed took Zubimendi from Liverpool, saying, ‘I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool. He had agreed to come to Liverpool.

“He mentioned he was on board – but at the last moment, he changed his mind, saying, ‘I don’t want to come, I’ll have another year [at Sociedad].’

Mikel Arteta hails from the Basque region… It’s clear he has approached him and suggested, ‘We’re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, and we’ll pursue you next season.’”