Andrea Berta was keen for Arsenal to pursue a different No.6 rather than Martin Zubimendi.<\/p>\n
According to reports, Arsenal\u2019s sporting director Andrea Berta aimed to sign an alternative No.6 instead of Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n
In July, the Gunners invested \u00a360m to bring Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a Spanish club \u2013 however, the situation could have unfolded quite differently.<\/p>\n
The Athletic reports that the agreement for the defensive midfielder was established before Berta assumed his position last year.<\/p>\n
The publication further notes that had Berta been in his role sooner, he would have preferred \u2018other candidates\u2019 for the No.6 position.<\/p>\n
It remains uncertain which alternative No.6 Berta had in mind \u2013 nonetheless, Arsenal was linked to several defensive midfielders prior to the announcement of the Zubimendi transfer.<\/p>\n
Various sources suggested that Atletico Madrid\u2019s Pablo Barrios was a viable option for the Gunners instead of Zubimendi.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Sevilla\u2019s Lucien Agoume was reported to be among the candidates on Arsenal\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n
Arsenal was also thought to be interested in a deal for Crystal Palace\u2019s Adam Wharton, who is capable of playing in the No.6 position.<\/p>\n
Zubimendi has participated in all three of Arsenal\u2019s Premier League matches this season, contributing to victories over Manchester United and Leeds United before the defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Concerns from a former Arsenal star regarding Zubimendi<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u2018He\u2019s not dynamic,\u2019 Robson stated to ESPN. \u2018He 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018He rarely makes forward passes \u2013 there are no penetrating or goal-scoring passes; he simply keeps the ball moving.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany players are capable of that, and you are investing a significant amount in a player who merely facilitates the flow of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJamie Carragher accused Arsenal\u2019s Mikel Arteta of undermining Liverpool\u2019s transfer efforts for Zubimendi last month, stating, \u2018Arteta stole Zubimendi from Liverpool!\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher expressed his belief that Arteta indeed took Zubimendi from Liverpool, saying, \u2018I\u2019m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool. He had agreed to come to Liverpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe mentioned he was on board \u2013 but at the last moment, he changed his mind, saying, \u2018I don\u2019t want to come, I\u2019ll have another year [at Sociedad].\u2019<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta hails from the Basque region\u2026 It\u2019s clear he has approached him and suggested, \u2018We\u2019re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, and we\u2019ll pursue you next season.’\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Andrea Berta was keen for Arsenal to pursue a different No.6 rather than Martin Zubimendi. \u00a0 According to reports, Arsenal\u2019s sporting director Andrea Berta aimed to sign an alternative No.6 instead of Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window. \u00a0 In July, the Gunners invested \u00a360m to bring Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a Spanish club [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":96459,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"yoast_head":"\n