ZUBIMENDI'S MONREAL DEAL

Agent Nacho immediately knew Sociedad pal was perfect for Gunners

- EXCLUSIVE BY RYAN TAYLOR

NOT ONLY was Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal transfer several years in the making - it was engineered by one of Mikel Arteta's former Gunners teammates.

Three-time FA Cup winner Nacho Monreal shared the Real Sociedad dressing room with the technically-gifted 26-year-old maestro and immediately knew he had all the tools to prove an instant hit in the Premier League.

So much so, he contacted Arteta and encouraged him to beat the rush to Zubimendi’ signature.

Monreal, speaking via BetMGM ahead of the north London derby, said: “Yes, I spoke with him [Arteta] and with the club in general a long time ago.