£52m star Mikel Arteta was desperate to sign has now made transfer decision after rejecting Arsenal

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Arsenal were not able to land all of their top targets in the recent summer transfer window.

Mikel Arteta will be happy with how he was able to add to his squad over the course of the summer transfer market. 

Riccardo Calafiori arrived at the Emirates Stadium to strengthen the Gunners’ defensive contingent. Two loanees then came in on Transfer Deadline Day to add further strength in depth, in the shape of Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto.

Arsenal were also able to secure the services of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, who came in to bolster Arteta’s midfield options.

However, in his first training session in North London, the Spaniard was stricken with injury and is still waiting to make his debut. Merino is now back in training, though, and will be eager to make up for lost time. 

Merino also has something of a point to prove, as he arguably wasn’t Arteta’s first choice acquisition this summer. In fact, the Arsenal boss was extremely keen on Merino’s then-Real Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi. 

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Martin Zubimendi’s future plans become clear

Arsenal pushed to sign Zubimendi in the summer, but were rebuffed by the midfielder, who was not willing to leave the La Liga outfit at that time. Liverpool’s own advances for the £52 million star were also rejected.

Now, though, as reported by TBR Football, Zubimendi is finally ready to consider an exit from Real Sociedad. 

Arsenal and Liverpool remain interested in the Euro 2024 winner, and could launch another move for his signature in future windows.

However, Zubimendi’s preference would be to join Real Madrid, who have identified the 25-year-old as the ideal candidate to replace midfield veteran Luka Modric, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season as things stand. 

Do Arsenal still need Zubimendi?

With Merino having come in, there is now a less pressing need for Arsenal to pursue Zubimendi.

However, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both now in the twilight years of their careers, there will soon be room for another midfielder to take a place in Arteta’s squad.

Declan Rice is a vital player at the Emirates Stadium though, and Zubimendi may not wish to compete for minutes with the England international whilst the stage looks set for him to become the main man in the middle of the park for Real Madrid.