Mikel Arteta’s dream Arsenal signing served up on a platter thanks to Liverpool star

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi with a view to swooping in the summer transfer window.

And Mikel Arteta’s chances of getting his man have been boosted significantly by the emergence of Liverpool ace Ryan Gravenberch. The Reds tried to sign Zubimendi for new manager Arne Slot before the start of the season.

But they were unable to strike a deal with Sociedad, partly because Zubimendi did not want to leave his boyhood club high and dry after losing key men Robin Le Normand and Mikel Merino.

Zubimendi has committed to Sociedad for another season, but The Independent have reported that he stayed on the ‘condition’ that he will be allowed to leave in future if the right offer arrives.

While Manchester City are said to have ‘looked’ at Zubimendi, Arsenal are seriously weighing up whether to test Sociedad’s resolve. And as if the stars have aligned perfectly for Arteta, one of Zubimendi’s big-hitting rival suitors – Liverpool – may no longer have a need to sign the Spanish international.

Gravenberch’s stunning start to life under Slot, in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Alexis Mac Allister, has effectively given Liverpool all the class, guile and muscle they need in the middle of the park.

Granted, the Reds’ midfield depth could use a boost as an injury to one of that pairing would sting. But with senior figures at Anfield known to be careful operators in the transfer market, could they really spend £50million to activate Zubimendi’s release clause even if he would not be a guaranteed starter?

And would Zubimendi himself be receptive to a Liverpool approach if he would not automatically go straight into Slot’s starting line-up? Both of these factors – caused by Gravenberch – work in the Gunners’ favour.

Slot is more than happy with Gravenberch patrolling the middle of the pitch, which makes Arsenal an even more attractive destination.

“[Gravenberch] has certain characteristics to play in that position, and one of them is that he is really comfortable with the ball,” said the Liverpool manager last month.

“Every time you play [the ball to] him, he knows what to do with it so he is really good in his one and two-touch passes. But he is also very comfortable in turning away from his man so we can create an overload. He is tall, he can run and he is strong in the duels.”