Talks progressing: Arsenal confident of clinching “high quality” star, expert confirms

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Arsenal corner flag at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal corner flag at the Emirates Stadium (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal are confident of sealing the transfer of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as talks are progressing well, according to Charles Watts in his Daily Briefing column.

The Spain international has been a star performer for Sociedad in recent times and looks like he’d surely be a terrific addition for Arsenal as well.

The Gunners need someone like Zubimendi next season, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both about to come to the ends of their contracts.

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Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest column, Watts provided an update on his understanding on the Zubimendi to Arsenal saga, following reports of this deal being all but done for the summer.

Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal transfer looks advanced

It seems nothing is quite done yet, according to Watts, but he says Arsenal are confident after progressing into advanced talks.

Martin Zubimendi celebrates for Real Sociedad
Martin Zubimendi celebrates for Real Sociedad(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“Martin Zubimendi is a player we’ve known for a long time features high up on Mikel Arteta’s list of targets,” Watts said.

“Talks over a summer move have progressed well and there is a confidence that a deal can happen, but nothing has been signed yet.

“And we know there are huge clubs across Europe that are also interested in the Real Sociedad star, so until contracts are signed it’s impossible to say with absolute certainty that Zubimendi will be an Arsenal player next season.

“We saw with what happened with Liverpool and Zubimendi last summer how quickly things can change when it comes to the transfer market.

“But it’s a deal Arsenal understandably would like to get done and have been working on. With Thomas Partey and Jorginho likely to leave in the summer there is a clear need to bring in a high quality No.6 and there are few better No.6s around Europe right now than Zubimendi.”

He added: “I know there are suggestions that Arteta told Zubimendi to reject Liverpool and wait for Arsenal. To be honest, I have no idea if that is true or not.

“But there’s no doubt Arteta will have been absolutely key to Arsenal’s attempts to land the midfielder and should they get the deal over the line, the Arsenal manager will have played a massive part in that.”

Zubimendi looks ideal for Arsenal’s long-term needs in midfield, but fans will also be desperate for a new striker, with Watts discussing the latest on Benjamin Sesko here.

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4 Comments

  1. Zubimendi is a terrific player. He makes the side better defensively, offers about the same as Rice going forward, and probably makes the midfield more flexible. That said, how many midfielders can be on the pitch at the same time. Odegaard, Rice, Partey, Jorginho, and Merino are all good players that Arteta is struggling to get on the pitch. The biggest (only) midfield lack (though if they had a pair of actual strikers, Havertz might fill the role) is a scoring play maker to take some of the load and offer cover for Odegaard. Zubimendi is not that player.

    Zubimendi is a case of Arsenal continuing to sign players they can sign but don’t need; over players they are struggling to sign but do need. The Gunners need three things due to their current injury crisis and failure to address the defense.

    1. A striker (or two). Through poor man management and talent evaluation, Arsenal went from having an overload to a dearth of front men in one season. Nketiah, Balogun, and the oft-injured Jesus to Kai Havertz. Yikes! Any of the mentioned players would do, but Victor Osimhen seems the most available, provided Arsenal can pay the fee. Matheus Cunha is probably more game-ready for the Premier League, with Victor Gyokeres probably the best fit, long-term.

    2. A scoring right winger to provide cover and rotation for Saka. Sterling was seemingly signed for the purpose, but his best performances are on the left and he hasn’t been effective since leaving Man City. Nico Williams is mentioned for the role, but he’s never going to be happy playing second fiddle to Saka, and he doesn’t score enough. A player making the jump to a big club, or an older player with something left who is willing to play behind Saka is what’s needed. Yankube Minte, Leroy Sane, or Leon Bailey fit the bill.

    3. A central defender. How Arsenal have five left backs and two central defenders is a mystery or mismanagement. ‘Flexibility’ and ‘can play there’ are not substitutes for quality depth. Calum Chambers could play three positions well enough to be Fulham’s player of the year, but none well enough to be on the pitch for Arsenal. A player willing to play cup games and serving as rotational and injury cover is needed. A squad player, not a star, is needed. Nayef Aguerd, Joe Gomez or Victor Lindeloff might fit the bill.

    Regardless; even if Arsenal signed Osimhen, Minteh, and Gomez in January, it probably won’t bring a title. The Gunners have beaten one top ten team all season – Nottingham Forest, 3-0 back in November. All the other games against rivals for European football have ended in defeats or draws.

    Even if Arsenal do address their needs, which given the focus on Zubimendi seems unlikely, will the team be able to integrate these new signings quickly enough, and will Liverpool drop enough points; and 8-draw Arsenal be able to win against quality opponents enough to overcome a 9-point deficit with 15 games to play?

    1. White and Calafiori have the profiles and experience for playing the traditional CB role at a high level. Timber and Tomiyasu too, to a lesser extent.

      Arteta has done a great job assembling the defensive unit in his squad. Left Backs; Calafiori, Timber, Tomiyasu and now Skelly. Centrebacks; Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori, White, Timber and Tomiyasu. Right Backs; Timber, White and Tomiyasu.

      I don’t think anyone foresaw that 4 of them would have such bad luck with injuries. If everyone could stay fit, quite a few would be unhappy with lack of game time.

      So I don’t know why you think we only have two top class Centrebacks, when we actually have two that could start in any team, another two in Calafiori and White that are also top class and Timber who has also proven to be effective in the centre.

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