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Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad this summer in a £55million deal, having turned down a similar transfer to Merseyside 12 months earlier.

Liverpool thought they had beaten off the competition to land the Spain international, only to be told he had decided to stay with Real Sociedad.

I felt La Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying was the best decision.”



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Arteta spoke on the phone with Zubimendi, who like him, comes from San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque country, and they hit it off.

Having signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad the previous year, the Gunners were confident that his old midfielder partner would follow suit.

"I think it was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club, and everybody that was involved in it, to understand how we could get what we wanted in two different years, and both at the same time," said Arteta.

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"And both players were very keen to come, which is very necessary.

I think we had a club in Real Sociedad that understood the situation, and they've been excellent.

I think Real Sociedad at the end were happy with the outcome, so I think it's a very positive outcome for all parties."

Martin Zubimendi played for Arsenal against AC Milan in pre-season (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Had things gone differently Zubimendi could be playing under Arne Slot at Liverpool, but he is delighted to be working with Arteta.

"I don't know what he saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe," he said.

"At the end of the day, I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad.
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