Zubimendi: Liverpool move wasn't at 'right time'

Martín Zubimendi has said he turned down Liverpool last summer because "it wasn't the right time" to leave Real Sociedad and expressed his hope he can be the difference-maker in Arsenal's bid for glory.

The 26-year-old completed a £51 million ($67m) move to Arsenal earlier this month which was the culmination of a double transfer which saw Mikel Merino make the same switch in 2024.

Liverpool were in advanced talks with Sociedad over Zubimendi but the Spain international opted to remain at the club for another season, during which time Arsenal won the battle for his signature.

Speaking for the first time on the club's preseason tour to Singapore, Zubimendi said: "It wasn't an easy time for me because, I wanted to stay at Real, but when offers come in, you start thinking about your options.

"The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave Real, and it wasn't the right time. I felt that Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying at Real was the best decision for me.

"I don't know what he [Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta] saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe. At the end of the day, I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad.

"I think I've found him. In the few days I've been here, I've seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he's the one."

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Arsenal have not won any silverware since the 2020 FA Cup and were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinals last season.

"Ultimately, I believe that football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League," Zubimendi said. "I feel that Arsenal were the only team who truly stood up to PSG, and they let it slip because of minor details. It's a long season, and injuries play an important role, so the fewer we have, the better."

Asked if he could be the difference-maker, Zubimendi said: "I hope so. The most important thing about this club is that they learn from previous seasons. I think the lessons they've learned from how last season ended will be key to getting even closer to this year's targets."