Man Utd legend Paul Scholes claims Arsenal are making £51m transfer mistake

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes discussing Arsenal (Picture: YouTube)

Paul Scholes has questioned Arsenal’s £51m move for Martin Zubimendi and doubts both his ability as a midfielder and his suitability to the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta has made Zubimendi, 26, one of his top targets ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have been in talks with the Spaniard for several months but feared Real Madrid would hijack their move for the Real Sociedad star.

However, recent reports claim Zubimendi has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and will move to the Emirates Stadium when the summer window opens for £51m.

Arsenal’s interest in the 26-year-old comes as Jorginho looks set to depart north London, while Thomas Partey has also been linked with a summer move.

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Zubimendi is expected to sit in front of Arsenal’s back four and dictate play, allowing Declan Rice to move into a more attacking role.

But Manchester United legend and ex-England midfielder Scholes has questioned Zubimendi’s ability and where he would fit in the Arsenal team.

Martin Zubimendi looks set to join Arsenal from Real Sociedad (Picture: Getty)

‘What hole is Martin Zubimendi going to fill? I don’t see a hole there,’ Scholes said on The Overlap.

‘I think Declan Rice can do that role [defensive midfielder]. Everyone seems to see Rice as more of an attacking player, I don’t see that in him at all. I don’t see it in him.

‘I saw Zubimendi against United for Sociedad and I wasn’t impressed. That’s maybe where I’m coming from in terms of doubting he can fill that hole.’

Gary Neville backs Arsenal’s move for Zubimendi

Gary Neville disagrees with his former Manchester United teammate disagreed and believes Zubimendi will be an ideal signing for Arsenal.

Zubimendi has made over 200 appearances for La Liga side Sociedad and helped Spain win Euro 2024 last summer.

‘I’m surprised you say that, I’m really surprised you say that,’ Neville said.

Mikel Arteta is preparing for an important transfer window (Picture: Getty)

‘I genuinely don’t believe Rice or Partey are anywhere near as good at receiving the ball as some of the other midfielders in the Premier League.

‘I think Declan Rice is a brilliant player and Thomas Partey is a very good player but I don’t think they’ve got anyone who can control a football match properly in the top games.

‘I think they really struggle with that. I think Jorginho is the best of them. I’m surprised you don’t see that. They need someone to control the ball and keep it moving.’

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As well as bringing Zubimendi to the Emirates Stadium, Arteta also wants to sign a new striker to take Arsenal to the next level.

Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Liam Delap are all of interest to the Gunners, who have gone a fifth successive season without a trophy.

Arsenal’s position is second place in the Premier League is even in jeopardy with two games remaining, with Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa all able to catch Arteta’s side.

The north London outfit play host to in-form Newcastle this weekend before concluding the 2024-25 campaign against bottom-placed Southampton.

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