Liverpool boss Arne Slot has subtly hailed the qualities of Martin Zubimendi as the midfielder heads for a move to Arsenal.
The Reds and the Gunners have both been linked with the Real Sociedad midfielder, who has continued to see his stock rise. Liverpool were in the hunt for the Spaniard after he produced an excellent cameo in the Euro 2024 final but missed out.
Mikel Arteta previously followed Zubimendi and it is reported that Arsenal have completed a deal to sign the 25-year-old next summer. Liverpool's interest was well documented when they began their summer search for the midfielder.
However, Slot has made great use of the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who are starting to realize the potential he showed as a youngster. The Liverpool boss insists Zubimendi – without naming him – would have been more than comfortable operating in their midfield – such are his attributes.
He told TNT Sports when talking about his deeper midfielders who lined up in the pocket between the opposition midfield and the attack: “I prefer them to get the ball behind those two. That's why these two (Liverpool's centre-backs) are so important that we can find them behind those two (first line of the opposition press), rather than asking for the ball here or there or there (wide). We prefer them to stay more in midfield.
“In fact, I think the player we wanted to bring in – I think he spends so much time in the open – was also a player who was very comfortable, is still a player who is very comfortable on the ball and the ball from our side can convey. last line to our attackers.”
Arsenal will be the team to benefit from these talents if he eventually makes the move to the Emirates. Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad, ideally in January, but may have to wait until the summer before he can bring in some big-name recruits.
The North Londoners have no shortage of talent in the middle of the pitch. Martin Odegaard is the team's playmaker and has taken on the number 10 role, with the likes of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey operating behind him, with the Englishman in particular earning constant praise.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have not struggled despite missing Zubimendi. Federico Cheisa became their only summer signing and even he has hardly featured at Slot, maximizing the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are clearly at the top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League table.
Comments