theglobalsun – Arsenal fans will finally see Martin Zubimendi in action this Wednesday, a year after the club began his transfer. The 26-year-old midfielder joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for £60 million earlier this month. He made his first appearance in a closed-door friendly against Watford last Saturday. His debut in front of supporters is expected against AC Milan in Singapore.
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Zubimendi is considered one of Europe’s top defensive midfielders. He played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory over England. Last summer, he rejected a move to Liverpool, but Arsenal had already started their pursuit. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, described the transfer strategy as a well-orchestrated plan spread over two years.
Arteta praised Real Sociedad for their cooperation and said both Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were eager to join. “We got what we wanted, and the players did too,” Arteta said. He confirmed that Zubimendi will play primarily as a defensive midfielder, or “number six,” a role where his tactical skills stand out.
Zubimendi admitted last summer was a challenging time deciding on his future. He chose to stay at Real Sociedad to gain more experience. After joining Arsenal, Zubimendi praised Arteta’s coaching, highlighting the manager’s obsession with detail as a key factor in his decision to sign. He feels he has already learned a lot and aims to bring balance and effective passing to Arsenal’s midfield.
Midfield Competition and Future Ambitions at Arsenal
Zubimendi’s arrival adds strong competition in Arsenal’s midfield, where he joins teammates like Mikel Merino, Declan Rice, and captain Martin Odegaard. Merino welcomed the challenge, emphasizing the quality and depth of the squad. He believes a strong squad helps players push each other and cope with a long season’s demands.
Despite their reunion at Arsenal, Zubimendi and Merino focused on their own seasons during the past year, rarely discussing their future moves. Both are now ready to contribute fully to the club’s ambitions. Zubimendi hopes his signing will spark a new winning era for Arsenal. He stressed the importance of learning from past seasons, especially the lessons from last season’s near misses. Zubimendi believes success depends on attention to detail, particularly in the Champions League.
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He praised Arsenal’s performance against PSG in the last semi-final, noting how small mistakes cost them. Zubimendi also agrees with Merino that staying injury-free is crucial for a successful long campaign. With his arrival, Arsenal aims to strengthen their midfield stability and tactical control. Fans and analysts will watch closely as Zubimendi seeks to make an immediate impact and help Arsenal reach new heights in both domestic and European competitions.
