He’s the only Arsenal player that I don’t want to play with if I come,is either they sell Him or I stop the transfer”, Zubimendi have decided to terminate His transfer plan to Arsenal if this Arsenal player is not sold in the summer – Not Thomas Partey

In what could turn out to be one of the most dramatic transfer twists of the summer, Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi has reportedly put his potential move to Arsenal on hold — and the reason has left fans both stunned and curious.

Speaking during a press conference while addressing growing transfer rumours linking him to the Emirates, the Spanish international didn’t hold back when asked about the prospect of joining Mikel Arteta’s side.

> “He’s the only Arsenal player that I don’t want to play with if I come. It’s either they sell him, or I stop the transfer,” Zubimendi firmly declared.

While many assumed the friction might involve Thomas Partey, sources close to the situation have confirmed it’s not the Ghanaian midfielder at the centre of this tension.

Though the exact identity of the player remains undisclosed to the public, several insider reports point toward a midfield personality clash that’s been simmering behind the scenes. Speculation is swirling around figures like Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny, but no official confirmation has been given yet.

Zubimendi, long admired by Mikel Arteta for his composure, tactical intelligence, and technical ability in midfield, was believed to be one of Arsenal’s top transfer targets heading into the summer window. The 25-year-old was seen as an ideal long-term replacement to anchor the midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.

However, with this shock ultimatum now on the table, Arsenal’s board faces a tough decision — prioritize their long-standing interest in Zubimendi, or retain a squad player who might be causing friction with a potential new arrival.

Arsenal fans have since flooded social media, calling for the mystery player’s identity to be revealed and debating whether the Gunners should move quickly to resolve the situation before it derails one of their biggest summer transfer plans.

One thing’s for sure: this developing story has added a dramatic new chapter to Arsenal’s transfer window — and all eyes will now be on Arteta and Edu to see how they respond.