Martin Zubimendi Reflects on His Year-Long Journey to Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal's latest midfield acquisition, expressed his eagerness to embrace new challenges after finally joining the club this summer, a year after initial discussions began. The 26-year-old Spanish international made a high-profile move from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of approximately £60 million. Zubimendi's first public appearance in an Arsenal jersey is anticipated during a match against AC Milan in Singapore, following his participation in a closed-door friendly against Watford last weekend.

Zubimendi has been recognized as one of Europe’s outstanding midfielders, having played a pivotal role in Spain's triumph over England in the Euro 2024 final. His decision to stay at Real Sociedad last summer, turning down an offer from Liverpool, underscores his commitment to development and readiness for new opportunities. "The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave Real, and it wasn’t the right time," Zubimendi stated. "I felt that Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn."

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the significance of Zubimendi's signing, highlighting a well-structured plan that involved the club's strategy to acquire him alongside Mikel Merino. Arteta stated, "I think it was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club... I’m very happy to have him."

Zubimendi's versatility as a midfielder positions him to fulfill a crucial role in Arsenal's tactical setup. Arteta confirmed that Zubimendi is primarily expected to play as a 'number six', focusing on defensive responsibilities while also contributing to the team's attacking plays. "When you have him every single day, just in training sessions, how he captures the information, how he processes things on the pitch, it’s very impressive," Arteta remarked.

The midfielder has expressed admiration for Arteta's coaching style, describing the manager's meticulous attention to detail as a key factor in his decision to join Arsenal. He noted, "I think I’m going to try to do things I didn’t do before... I’m sure he’ll ask me to do new things."

Zubimendi's arrival at Arsenal is not only a significant personal achievement but also a strategic move for the club, which aims to build on its recent successes. After coming close to securing trophies in past seasons, Zubimendi believes it is critical for the team to learn from previous experiences. "I think the lessons they’ve learned from how last season ended will be key to getting even closer to this year’s targets," he stated, emphasizing the importance of detail-oriented play, especially in crucial competitions like the Champions League.

With Zubimendi joining a competitive midfield that includes Declan Rice and captain Martin Ødegaard, he faces the challenge of securing a starting position. Teammate Merino acknowledged the intense competition but highlighted the benefits of a deep squad. "It’s unbelievable the amount of quality and talent that we have... injuries can happen, and rotations need to happen," he said, underscoring the necessity for a robust team structure.

As Arsenal prepares for the upcoming season, Zubimendi's integration into the squad represents a crucial step toward achieving the club's objectives. His commitment and readiness to adapt suggest he could become an integral part of Arsenal's ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.