Why Zubimendi Rejected Liverpool to Join Arteta’s Revolution at Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi has opened up about his decision to turn down Liverpool before joining Arsenal—insisting that it was all about timing and ambition. He revealed how he weighed staying at Real Sociedad against a move, and how a call from Mikel Arteta helped seal his path to London.

“When any proposal comes, the first question has to be whether to stay at la Real. And it wasn’t the right moment,” Zubimendi said. “I stayed and it was a hard season but I learned a lot. I wanted to step forward, take that weight after others went.”

He admitted the choice wasn’t easy. There were offers, there was pressure, but he believed he needed one more season at his hometown club to mature. He wanted clarity and confidence, not a rushed move. That patience, he feels, served him well.

In reflecting on what drew him to Arsenal, Zubimendi was effusive. “I had watched Arsenal and I liked everything I saw, in terms of passion, youth, the feeling you got watching them. And when Mikel Arteta called me… Well, if you’ve ever spoken to him you’ll know that he can be very convincing. He’s mad about football, crazy about having everything under control, trying to get something from every little detail. He’s very clear on everything and the proposal he had was the best for me.”

It’s clear that Arteta’s vision and approach resonated deeply. For Zubimendi, the move wasn’t just about joining a big club—it was about joining a project built around development, attention to detail, and tactical ambition. Arteta’s reputation for precision and control aligned with what Zubimendi wanted at this stage of his career.

Holding on to identity amid adaptation

Even after making such a high-profile switch, Zubimendi insists he isn’t reinventing his style to fit the Premier League. He believes Arsenal signed him for exactly what he already contributes: composure, intelligence, and consistency. He’s not trying to become someone else—he’s adapting his natural game to a bigger stage.

The midfielder now faces new challenges: quicker tempo, higher intensity, tougher opponents. But his confidence in his own path remains firm. He had the chance to move earlier but chose strategic patience. Now, in Arsenal’s structure under Arteta, that patience might pay off most of all.

As the season unfolds, expect to see Zubimendi merge the best of his Real Sociedad education—the positional sense, the discipline—with fresh ambition: to take on, and thrive in, one of football’s toughest environments. He chose Arsenal not at the first knock, but when he knew he was ready. And that decision might just define how high he reaches here.