The Spaniard has been on the radar of manager Mikel Arteta for some period of time, but he has been unable to convince him.

Zubimendi currently has a release clause worth €60m in his contract which the Gunners are willing to pay, but he is reluctant to leave.

The defensive midfielder turned down a move to the Gunners last winter and last summer and he shares the same stance for now.

Zubimendi is not looking for a way out of Sociedad next month and could see out the campaign before deciding his own future.

The news is a blow for the Gunners who are aiming to bolster their options in the centre of the park for the Premier League title race.

Aside from Zubimendi, the club have been linked with Everton 's Amadou Onana , but the Toffees are unlikely to sell him this winter.

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