Arsenal dressing room have approved Arteta's signing of 'world class' target

15 February 2024 , 07:19

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Mikel Arteta may want to review Kieran Tierney's most recent interview (Image: Arsenal FC)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta already thinks highly of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, but may sit up and take note of comments made by the Gunners' very own Kieran Tierney.

Scotland ace Tierney is still on the books at Arsenal, but currently spending the season out on loan with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad. Having seen so much of his time at the Emirates plagued with fitness issues, the former Celtic star is hoping some time in San Sebastian can kickstart his career.

It is during this time with Sociedad that Tierney has been able to get an up close look at one player Arsenal have been linked with a lot over the last two transfer windows in Zubimendi. A 25-year-old Spain international, the midfielder's technical prowess has caught the eye of Arteta.

Tierney's comments on his Sociedad team-mates make for interesting reading from an Arsenal perspective. The left-back specifically named Zubimendi as one of the players worthy of praise in a recent interview with the Guardian.

The Scotsman explained: " You have world-class players like Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Brais Mendez. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good, it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world class."

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Despite spending £105million on a new midfielder last summer in Declan Rice, it seems as if Arteta's midfield overhaul is still not yet complete. Zubimendi has been identified as someone who could replace Thomas Partey, if the constantly-crocked Ghanaian is sold in the summer.

It has been widely reported that Zubimendi's release clause sits at a relatively modest sum of £51m. If the Gunners are serious in their interest, they could certainly leave the Sociedad ace with a decision to make regarding his club future.

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Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is wanted by Arsenal (Getty Images)

With so much rotation in Arsenal's midfield next to Rice (Jorginho, Partey and Kai Havertz have all lined up next to him at some point this term), Arteta is desperate to secure the services of someone who can play alongside the club's record-signing week in, week out.

As for Tierney's own future, the 26-year-old has kept his cards close to his chest. Asked whether the long-term looks like an Arsenal return, the left-back revealed: " It’s hard to say. I loved my time there and I still have two years on the contract.

"I am very grateful to Arsenal. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I am absolutely loving it here. I feel I have adapted quite well and I hope I can return the faith the club have shown. This is a very, very talented squad with world-class players and so many have come from the academy. It’s an amazing story."

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Josh O'Brien