“There’s only one Arsenal player I refuse to play alongside if I join. Either they sell him, or I’m calling off the transfer,” Martín Zubimendi has reportedly warned. The Spanish midfielder is prepared to scrap his move to Arsenal this summer if the unnamed player remains at the club — and it’s not Thomas Partey. Arsenal fans are urging Arteta to act fast before the club loses out on this midfield gem

In a dramatic development ahead of the summer transfer window, Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi has reportedly issued a stark ultimatum to Arsenal. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the 25-year-old Spanish international is ready to call off his anticipated move to the Emirates unless the club agrees to part ways with a certain unnamed squad member.

This revelation has sent shockwaves through the Arsenal fanbase, adding unexpected tension to what was considered a straightforward transfer. Despite much speculation, the player Zubimendi refuses to play alongside is not Thomas Partey, the Ghanaian midfielder whose role overlaps somewhat with Zubimendi’s.

The identity of the player remains undisclosed at this stage, but the impact on Arsenal’s summer plans is clear. Zubimendi is one of Europe’s most highly rated deep-lying midfielders, admired for his tactical awareness, ball control, and game management skills. His arrival would signal a key step in Mikel Arteta’s midfield overhaul.

Arsenal have tracked Zubimendi for several seasons. The Spanish midfielder’s ability to dictate play from deep positions, break up opposition attacks, and launch precise forward passes fits perfectly into the tactical vision Arteta has laid out for the team’s future.

Fans have reacted with urgency and passion since the news broke. Across social media platforms, Arsenal supporters are urging the club’s management to prioritize signing Zubimendi, even if it means making tough decisions about current squad members.

One Arsenal fan tweeted, “If Zubimendi says sell the problem player, then sell them. No one is bigger than the club!” Another added, “We’ve waited years for a player like Zubimendi. Arteta needs to move fast or risk losing him.”

The pressure now mounts on Arteta and the Arsenal board. Negotiations with Real Sociedad are reportedly advanced, but this new condition introduced by Zubimendi adds a complicated twist.

With Bayern Munich and Juventus also said to be interested in Zubimendi, Arsenal face fierce competition. The club cannot afford delays or internal conflicts that could derail the transfer.

While the player’s agent and Arsenal officials have not publicly addressed the situation, insiders suggest that talks are ongoing behind closed doors, with the Gunners weighing their options carefully.

For Arteta, the dilemma is stark: back the unnamed squad player who could be standing in the way of this transfer or make a bold, possibly unpopular, move to secure the midfielder’s signature.

Some pundits believe that bringing in a player of Zubimendi’s caliber could dramatically improve Arsenal’s midfield quality and overall team balance.

Others warn that disrupting squad harmony mid-season could carry risks, especially with Champions League qualification and league ambitions on the line.

The situation has also reignited discussions about Arsenal’s recruitment policy and squad management, raising questions about whether the club’s hierarchy is ready to make the hard decisions necessary to progress.

For now, the ball remains firmly in Arsenal’s court. With the summer window approaching rapidly, time is running out for the Gunners to resolve this standoff.

Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Arteta can navigate this challenge successfully, balancing squad unity with the need to strengthen key positions.

Should the deal go through, Zubimendi would join Arsenal on a multi-year contract, becoming a central figure in the club’s midfield plans for years to come.

If not, Arsenal risk losing out on one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe and potentially face disappointment on the transfer market.

The coming weeks promise to be a critical period for Arsenal’s transfer strategy and the club’s ambitions for the 2025/26 season.