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Arne Slot suggests what he thinks Martin Zubimendi is really good at ahead of Arsenal move

Charles Jones

Sat 18 January 2025 8:15, UK

Liverpool really wanted to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer.

Liverpool chased Zubimendi in the summer, and they were clo✨se to signing h෴im at one point.

Zubimendi remained a Liverpool target heading into the January transfer window, but, unfortunately for the Reds, it looks li💃ke Zubim𓂃endi will be headed to Arsenal.

Zubimendi to Arsenal is agreed according to some, and a summer move cꦕould well be on the cards.

Speaking on , Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, has alluded to Zubimendi’s abilities when discussing his midfield makeup and how hiℱs Liverpool side operates.

Indeed, while Slot didn’t name Zubimendi directly, he said that there is a player Liverpool wanted to sign in the summer, which is out in the open, who was brillian💃t at bringing the ball from defence into the attack.

• READ MORE: The one major reason why Liverp🍬ool actually could ꦺnot sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

What Martin Zubimendi is really good at

Slot spoke about his midfield and w📖hat he wants from his holding midfield players.

The Liverpool boss spoke about why Ryan Gravenberch is so good, while he sugges𓄧ted that Zubimendi has a similar qu♛ality in terms of advancing the ball.

“The player we wanted to bring in. I think that’s pretty much out in the open now, he was also a player who was really comfortable. He’s still a player who could bring the ball🎀 from the last line to our forwards.

“This is a special qualꦬity Ryan has. The ability to turn away from his man. He is one of a few holding midfielders who can create an overlo𝐆ad by a dribble.

“You don’t see that much as a number six. Yeah. I think the strength of this team is we defend🔯 as 11. He has two centre backs behind him too.”

Martin Zubimendi stats compared to Ryan Gravenberch

As Slot says, Zubimendi ♑is a brilliant player who could’ve brought a lot to this Liverpool team, but the Reds haven’t missed him at all this season.

Indeed, Ryan Gravenberch has transformed this season.

Gravenberch has been compared to Patrick Vieira rece🥂ntly, and, statistically, he can go toe-to-toe with Zubimendi.

In terms of progressing the ball, Gravenberch’s dribbling and paജssing numbers are better than Zubimendi’s, but the Spaniard is making more tackles per game.

Zubimendi and Gravenberch could well be key players for both Arsenal and Liverpool𝕴 next season, and who knows? Perhaps thes🥃e two midfield options could define next year’s title race as the two clubs look to push for the Premier League title once again.

With Rodri at Manchester City, Zubimendi potentially joining Arsenal and Gravenberch at Liverpool, defensive midfield players could sha𓄧pe the Premier League in the coming years.