Why Arsenal’s new £51m man Martin Zubimendi is a coup for Mikel Arteta – and not just because the ‘next Rodri’ chose the Gunners over Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid

Liverpool thought he was their man. Manchester City had him longlisted to fill a Rodri-shaped hole in Pep Guardiola’s midfield. Champions of Europe Real Madrid also sniffed out the situation.

So be under no illusions: Arsenal winning the race to sign Real Sociedad’s European Championship-winning midfielder Martin Zubimendi is an almighty coup.

Zubimendi is a down-to-earth character, born and raised in the same region as Mikel Arteta, a true son of San Sebastian who reneged on his decision to join Liverpool this summer mainly due to his reluctance to leave the place he calls home.

Premier League chiefs believed they had Zubimendi’s word and sources in Spain said at the time that it went as far as the player speaking to Arne Slot. But the Spanish club continued the charm offensive and persuaded him to stay.

Mail Sport revealed at the time that coach Imanol Alguacil and outgoing football director Roberto Olabe had prepared a presentation on the pros and cons of moving abroad, pulling his heartstrings on why life is better in San Sebastian.

Zubimendi, an avid mountain climber, was shown photos of Monte Urgell – one of many peaks to hike in the area – and told that nowhere in England would replicate the pintxos or local tapas varieties he enjoys in the Basque Country.

It marks a significant coup for Mikel Arteta, from the same region in the Basque Country

The European Championship-winning star was targeted by Manchester City and Liverpool

He was also said to be wary of being stung by an interview he gave after starring in the European Championship final for winners Spain, where he talked about how much he loved his life at La Real.

But when it became clear that the move to Liverpool would not happen, the door was never fully closed on his departure from the club; the move was put on hold and postponed. By now the Reds had moved on and Slot realized he had his perfect number 6 all along with Ryan Gravenberch, who has increased tenfold this season.

All this illustrates how difficult it was to lure 25-year-old Zubimendi from his boyhood club. So the credit must go to Arsenal and interim sporting director Jason Ayto. Arteta, a fellow son of San Sebastian, undoubtedly played an integral role as well.

Given the U-turn in the summer over a deal to join Liverpool, Arsenal fans may only truly celebrate this signing when he is pictured with the red shirt aloft next to Arteta. It is understood he was ‘isolated’ when he made the decision at the time, not leaving the house or using his phone so he could focus on himself.

“They were awkward moments for me because people, as usual, talk a lot,” he recalled earlier this season.

“Anyway, you think carefully about the pros and cons and come to the conclusion that it was best for me to stay at Real.”

Is he what Arsenal need right now? No. The last thing Gunners fans need is another complicated, workmanlike passer of the ball in the middle – despite the fact that this could change if Jorginho and Thomas Partey leave the club.

But signing Zubimendi doesn’t mean a number 9 won’t join as well. It essentially signals that they want to make progress, which could tempt a striker to follow him to North London. It also provides a significant upgrade to an ailing midfield department.

Man City had the Spanish star on their longlist of potential replacements for Rodri

Arne Slot and Liverpool appeared to be on the verge of bringing the midfielder to Merseyside

However, the Dutchman later realized that he had his perfect number 6 under his nose with Ryan Gravenberch

Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil temporarily convinced Zubimendi to stay by pulling on his heart

Zubimendi is not perfect and will not solve all the Gunners’ problems overnight. He wasn’t ready to start in the European Championship final – although he did replace an injured Rodri at half-time and put in a masterful performance as Spain beat England – and even at 25 he still has some way to go to to become a world beater.

Speaking of Rodri: the Spaniards see Zubimendi as the next prince in their long line of excellent midfielders.

Guardiola, Sergio Busquets, Rodri and now Zubimendi. He also comes from the same region as the great conductor Xabi Alonso and has been described by one media outlet as the ‘Gen Z Busquets’.

He is steady in the tackle, unparalleled in possession and can play across midfield – although cutting deep as a metronome, not unlike late-career Arteta, is his best role.

And in what will please the set-piece-loving Arsenal, his only goal this season came from a corner.