Carragher Blames Mikel Arteta for Zubimendi’s Liverpool Snub

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has launched a strong accusation against Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, claiming Arteta deliberately sabotaged Liverpool’s attempt to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi last summer.

Jamie Carragher Accuses Arteta of Hijacking Liverpool’s Zubimendi Deal

Carragher stated publicly that Zubimendi had initially agreed to join Liverpool from Real Sociedad before suddenly rejecting the move.

The Spanish international instead completed a £60 million transfer to Arsenal earlier this summer.

Speaking on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Carragher insisted Arteta personally intervened to convince Zubimendi to snub Anfield and wait for a move to the Emirates Stadium.

“I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool,” Carragher declared.

“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].’”

Carragher pointed to Arteta’s Basque heritage – shared with Zubimendi – and Arsenal’s signing of another Basque player, Mikel Merino, as evidence of Arteta’s influence.

“There’s no doubt he’s been into him and said, ‘We’re signing Merino this season, we’ll come for you next season’,” Carragher speculated.

“The deal was done about halfway through the season. Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal.”

While framing it as part of management tactics rather than a direct criticism, Carragher concluded: “That’s why Zubimendi didn’t go to Liverpool. I think Arteta got into him.”

Arsenal secured the highly-rated Zubimendi, who boasts over 200 appearances for Sociedad and was a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, as part of a significant summer rebuild.

Pundits like Danny Murphy believe the midfielder is a crucial signing, equally important as striker Viktor Gyokeres, filling the void left by Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Arteta’s Arsenal, featuring their new midfield anchor, begin their Premier League campaign this Sunday away at Manchester United.