Manchester United legends, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, have made their feelings clear on Arsenal’s move to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard will be joining Arsenal in a £51 million and the Gunners appear to have wrapped up the deal.
He is certainly the Gunners first signing this summer and Scholes and Nevile expressed varying thoughts about the deal.
Speaking on the Overlap, both men were concerned about how suited the midfielder will be to English football.
Former England midfielder, Scholes labelled the transfer as a pointless one in the grand scheme of things.
Scholes said, “What hole is Martin Zubimendi going to fill? I don’t see a hole there. I think Declan Rice can do that role [defensive midfielder].
“I saw Zubimendi against United for Sociedad and I wasn’t impressed,” he said, insisting that he doubt the Spaniard can fill that hole.
On his part, Neville expressed surprise hearing Scholes’ comment about the midfielder and vehemently disagreed with his former teammate.
“I’m really surprised you say that. 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,” the former England full-back said.
“I don’t think [Rice and Partey] have 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.”
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Zubimendi and his club over a transfer at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side will pay his £51 million release clause, and see him as a direct replacement for Jorginho, who will join Flamengo.
