Several Liverpool fans have been left frustrated by their inability to secure the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who is now expected to complete a switch to Arsenal this summer.
The midfielder has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time now, with Mikel Arteta mapping out a succession plan for the ageing Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
Partey is expected to depart North London when his contract expires in six months’ time, while Jorginho could leave this month.
Arsenal will trigger Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause, potentially bringing to an end their midfield issues in the immediate future.
Zubimendi rejected a switch to Liverpool in the summer, and this has prompted the Reds’ faithful to vent their anger at losing out on the player.
Liverpool fans react to Martin Zubimendi Arsenal transfer update
With Zubimendi closing in on a move to N5, some Liverpool fans were left a little disappointed.
While many were quick to claim that they have the better player already operating at the base of their midfield in Ryan Gravenberch, this certainly wasn’t the overwhelming consensus.
Taking to social media, one fan criticised the Merseyside club’s sporting director for not enacting a deal for Zubimendi: “Richard Hughes wasted the entire summer chasing Zubimendi for nothing. Now, we’re mid-January, losing him to a title rival, and questions must be asked about his role. We can’t afford to sit still in this market.”
Another went on to say: “I’d say we were fed some utter garbage about Zubimendi. We were told he could bring himself to leave his hometown club and there was nothing Liverpool could have done to persuade him to leave. Yet 5 months later he is off to Arsenal. We are getting absolutely gaslit.”
More jumped on the criticism of the club and how it reflected poorly on their management of the situation, writing: “If you think people complaining about Zubi going to Arsenal just to complain then you are missing the plot. This club has no direction when it comes to player management and squad planning and it is showing in every way this year.”
Another went on to criticise Zubimendi himself for his decision, saying: “Let me get this straight. Zubi agrees to join us, changes his mind at the last minute because Sociedad’s president shows him a powerpoint, immediately regrets his decision and then agrees to join a worse project with a worse manager in January?”
One fan took a different approach to reacting to the news, attempting to console Liverpool and the fans for their way of operating: “The Zubimendi thing was falling apart at Real and he just desperately wants to leave. As I know Liverpool doesn’t force things, meaning any top club would easily win him. Prob is on Twitter it’s agenda not facts.”
With Gravenberch Liverpool’s only real defensive midfielder, this is certainly still an area you’d expect to see the north-west outfit address in future windows.
- READ MORE: He’s at Arsenal and thinks Martin Zubimendi is ‘world-class’ – but he may never play with him
Liverpool fans’ reaction suggest Arsenal have made a great signing
As the Liverpool echo chamber discuss whether or not missing out on Zubimendi is detrimental for them, it definitely points to one thing.
The fact that he’s caused division amongst the Premier League leaders’ fanbase indicates that he’s a player to get excited about.
Deployed next to Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in a midfield three, Arsenal may have secured themselves the most accomplished trio in the English top flight.
Zubimendi’s elusive press resistance and crisp progressive passing is arguably what the Gunners lack, and now they will have it in abundance.
In the midst of a gloomy week for the Arsenal faithful, the Zubimendi news is certainly a shining light.
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