Spain international Martin Zvimendi has spoken about his summer move to Arsenal and why he chose the Gunners a year after turning down a move to Liverpool despite his release clause being met.
Manager Martin Zvimendi has revealed that Mikel Arteta was very convincing in his decision to join Arsenal, with the Spaniard revealing that he made the best offer for the midfield maestro at a time when he was deciding on his future.
Zvimendi joined Arsenal in a £55m deal this summer, with the north London outfit paying more than his £51m release clause to secure more favorable payment terms with Real Sociedad. The 26-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners just 12 months after turning down a move to Liverpool.
It was initially thought the Spain international would complete his move to Anfield in 2024 after the Reds triggered Zvimendi’s release clause. However, due to a late change of heart, Zvimendi ended his contract with his hometown club and was replaced by Mikel Merino, who moved to Arsenal.
A year later, Zvimendi was offered the chance to reunite with Merino at Arsenal in the Premier League, but Zvimendi admits it was too convincing to turn him down. “If I get any offer, the first thing I have to think about is whether I want to stay at La Real,” he told the Guardian. “And it wasn’t the right time (to move).
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“I stayed and it was a tough season, but I learned a lot. After the others left, I wanted to move forward and take over the weight.”
After stressing that he was happy with how everything worked out, Zvimendi continued, “I was watching Arsenal and I liked everything I saw in terms of the passion, the youth, the feeling when you’re watching the game. And when I got the call from Mikel Arteta…”
“Well, if you’ve talked to him, you’ll find that he’s very persuasive. He’s obsessed with football, obsessed with controlling everything, trying to get something out of every little detail. He’s very clear about everything and his suggestions were the best for me.”
Zvimendi believes he needs to adapt to the Premier League, but improving his abilities was a key factor in his decision to move to the Premier League. The Basque-born star believes he is up to the task. “The pivot has to be a very complete person. He has to have the best qualities with and without the ball, as well as physical ability. He has to be able to do everything,” he added.
“[A transfer]completes you. It would be easy to stay in your comfort zone, but I wanted to leave the environment I had at Real Sociedad and grow in a personal sense and see a different culture, a different football. The more you get out of there, the more you grow.”
“It’s only when you’re pushed to your limits that you can do your best. I think there’s a lot to learn and improve in the Premier League, but I think we can do it.”
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