'He did what came from his heart' – Arsenal star Mikel Merino insists he played no role in Martin Zubimendi transfer from Real Sociedad

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino insists he played no role in Martin Zubimendi's transfer to the club, despite them both joining from Real Sociedad.

• Merino and Zubimendi reunite in north London
• Both joined from the same Spanish club
• Merino says he paid Sociedad their due respect

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Zubimendi joined the Gunners from Sociedad in the summer in a €70 million (£60m/$82m) deal, making the same move that Merino did back in 2024. Now, the latter has said that he actually played no role in Zubimendi's switch, as he felt it would be disrespectful to the Spanish club to ask him to follow in his footsteps to north London. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Merino has emerged as a standout under Mikel Arteta, and has even deputised as a striker. The 29-year-old has made 45 appearances for the Gunners and has scored nine goals and registered five assists. 

• WHAT MERINO SAID

  “I didn’t want to put too much pressure on him; in the end, it’s a decision he has to make on his own,” he told El Diario Vasco.

  “Leaving Real Sociedad is a very hard step; it was already hard for me to make that decision, and I imagine it’s even harder for him, being from there.

  “I didn’t try to convince him out of respect for him and Real Sociedad, nor did I pressure him to come. He did what came from his heart.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal play Leeds this weekend.