"Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool" - Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal boss convinced star to snub move to Anfield side

Pundit Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stole Martin Zubimendi from Liverpool. The Gunners secured the midfielder's signature from Real Sociedad this summer in a deal worth a reported £55.8 million.

Zubimendi was close to joining Arne Slot's side last summer but dramatically turned the Reds down at the last minute. He reportedly did not want to leave his boyhood club, citing his loyalty to the Basque Country as his reason.

However, he ended up leaving Real Sociedad for Arsenal this summer and reportedly turned even Real Madrid down. Jamie Carragher has claimed that Mikel Arteta probably convinced the midfielder to reject the Reds last summer and told him to stay at Real Sociedad for another year. Carragher said on Stick to Football podcast:

"I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool. 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]."

The former England defender added:

"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 pundit concluded:

"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."

Expectations will be big from Zubimendi who is expected to become a key cog in Mikel Arteta's system. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League in three seasons back-to-back and have splashed the cash on big signings this summer. Apart from Zubimendi, the Gunners secured the signings of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristian Mosquera.

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Wayne Rooney predicts where Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool finish in the Premier League next season

Pundit Wayne Rooney has predicted the top five in the Premier League for the 2025-26 season. Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, the former Manchester United striker backed Liverpool to retain the title.

Rooney has predicted Arsenal to finish second in the Premier League for the fourth season in a row. He tipped Manchester City to finsih third once again this season after their disappointing third-placed finish last season.

The former England attacker backed Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to finish fourth and his former club Manchester United to secure the fifth spot. He also backed Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah to win the Golden Boot for the fifth time in his career.