Nacho Monreal details role he played for Arsenal in Martin Zubimendi transfer

Former Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal was the first figure to alert the Gunners to Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi

Nacho Monreal has revealed he played a key, backstage role in Martin Zubimendi's £55million Arsenal transfer.

The three-time FA Cup-winning left-back was a team-mate of the talented Spain international midfielder during the final three years of his career at Real Sociedad.

And he was so impressed by Zubimendi's ability, he gave his close friend Mikel Arteta a call.

Speaking to BetMGM ahead of Sunday's North London Derby against Tottenham, Monreal revealed: "Yes, I spoke with him [Arteta] and with the club in general a long time ago.

"I said to them: 'You need to look at Martin Zubimendi,' because for me, when I arrived at Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino, for example, had already played for Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

"He was already a good player, but Martin had come from the academy and had started from zero.

"Even from the beginning and from the first moment, you could see something different, you know, something special.

"You see this guy, he's 20 or 21 years old and he performs like he was already playing for 10 years.

"He had something different and in my opinion, it's been a really, really good transfer.

"Yes they paid a lot for him but he deserved it. He's still young and he's going to stay for the next six, seven, eight years, at his top level.

"It was a good move for Arsenal and for Martin also, of course."

Once Arteta touched base with Zubimendi, Monreal never felt the need to intervene.

In his view, once Arteta picks up the phone, the player will already be sold on a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

Monreal continued while touching upon Liverpool's 2024 interest in Zubimendi: "Well, we didn't speak exactly about Arsenal but the truth is, Liverpool were in for him and he told me he was not ready to leave Real Sociedad.

"But this year, when he got the offer from Arsenal, he knew that it was the right moment, and it was the right place to go.

"I know Mikel called him and Mikel is really, really good when he calls a player, he tells the player exactly what they want to hear.

"He's very, very clever but Arsenal really needed this kind of player."

Monreal also paid tribute to fellow Spaniards Merino and David Raya, who have both become firm fan-favourites since they arrived in north London in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

"Merino is playing so well, scoring a lot of goals. He didn't score this much when he was at Sociedad but now at Arsenal he's playing different roles and always giving 100 per cent, helping the team and always smiling.

"Raya has also been unbelievable, making a lot of saves, he's been an amazing signing."