arsenal fc
Xabi Alonso was fired as manager of Real Madrid earlier this week.
Among the many reasons for the Spaniard’s tine in charge of the Spanish giants to be deemed a failure was the summer transfer market, with the club ignoring his calls for midfield reinforcements.
In particular he was desperate for the club to sign Martin Zubímendi from Real Sociedad. However, Arsenal had already a longstanding interest in the Spanish international, and had already laid much of the groundwork for a deal to be put in place.
Reports in Spain now suggest that there was a small window when Zubímendi might have been persuaded to change his mind and join Alonso at Real, But the Spanish club hesitated, the player and his representatives lost patience, and he eventually completed his move to North London.
proved to be Arsenal’s gain, as Zubímendi has slotted into the base of the Arsenal midfielder, freeing up Declan Rice in the process from some of his defensive responsibilities.
And for a player who scored on average one goal a season during his time with Sociedad, he has already netted three times in the Premier League for the Gunners.
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