Jamie Carragher is convinced Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta “definitely stole” one of Liverpool’s £60 million transfer targets this summer. The Premier League champions had tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last year, but the Spanish midfielder turned them down.
At the time, he cited loyalty to the Basque Country as his reason for staying put, despite being more than capable of moving elsewhere in search of silverware. Many among the Anfield faithful assumed he was simply biding his time, waiting for Real Madrid to come calling so he could secure a move to the Bernabeu.
However, when Los Blancos did make their approach this summer, Zubimendi rejected them as well – and has since been snapped up by Arsenal. Reports suggest the Gunners agreed a deal for the 26-year-old at the start of the year, with Carragher now certain it was Arteta’s influence that persuaded him to turn down Liverpool and hold out for a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Carragher Claims Mikel Arteta “Stole” Martin Zubimendi From Liverpool
“I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool,’ Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. “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’. The deal was done about halfway through the season.
“Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal. That’s why Zubimendi didn’t go to Liverpool. I think Arteta got into him. Listen, I’m not having a go at him, that’s just management.”
The Emirates Stadium faithful have high hopes for Zubimendi, who made over 200 appearances for Real Sociedad and helped Spain win Euro 2024 last summer. His preferred position is at the base of midfield, which will allow both Kai Havertz and Declan Rice to take on more advanced roles.
Zubimendi is one of six signings Arteta has welcomed to the club this season, along with Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristian Mosquera. After three years of second-place finishes, the 2025/26 season feels like last chance saloon for Arteta to prove he can help the Gunners over the line to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
