In a striking revelation, Real Madrid have been warned they might have committed a “huge mistake” by not securing the signature of Martin Zubimendi, who departed Real Sociedad for Arsenal in the summer transfer window. The Gunners swooped in with a £60 million deal for the Spanish midfielder, a move that has already paid dividends with the London club climbing to the summit of the Premier League standings, surpassing Liverpool just before the international interlude.
Zubimendi, who has seamlessly transitioned his club form to the international stage, played a pivotal role in Spain’s recent 2-0 triumph over Georgia in their World Cup qualifier. The Spanish media, particularly the pundits on Cadena SER, have been vocal about Real Madrid’s oversight. During the weekend broadcast of Carrusel Deportivo, noted journalist Julio Pulido remarked, “Should Real Madrid’s sporting director observe the national team’s recent outings and Zubimendi’s calibre of play, there could be regret over not having captured his talents for Los Blancos.”
Adding to the discourse, Antonio Romero, another panellist, criticised the decision, asserting, “Real Madrid’s failure to secure Zubimendi for £60 million, especially after splashing £120 million on the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, is a significant oversight.”
Interestingly, Zubimendi’s pathway to the Emirates wasn’t a straightforward one. The Spanish talent was on the cusp of joining Liverpool a year prior but opted to further his development in his native Spain. Reflecting on his decision to sidestep Anfield, Zubimendi revealed to The Guardian, “Whenever an offer comes in, the foremost consideration revolves around staying at la Real. It wasn’t the right moment then. Choosing Arsenal felt like the perfect timing.”
Zubimendi’s praises for Mikel Arteta were effusive, highlighting the manager’s infectious passion and meticulous approach, which ultimately swayed the midfielder’s decision. “If you’ve ever conversed with him, you’d know Arteta is ultra-convincing. His zeal for football is unparalleled, and his clarity in thought and proposal was unrivalled,” shared Zubimendi.
As Arsenal continue to flourish with their Spanish acquisition, it remains to be seen if Real Madrid will indeed regret their decision to pass on Zubimendi. Nevertheless, for the Gunners, this move seems to have added the much-needed vim and vigour to Arteta’s burgeoning side.
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