Profiling Arsenal’s Midfield Signing Martin Zubimendi

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are poised to make Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi their first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window, marking a strong start to the Andrea Berta era at the club.

The Gunners have reportedly reached an agreement with La Real for a fee in the region of €60 million, with Zubimendi verbally agreeing to a long-term contract. The move comes as a significant coup for Arsenal, especially with both Liverpool and Real Madrid previously monitoring the 25-year-old closely in hopes of bolstering their own midfields.

Zubimendi, known for his metronomic control, intelligent positioning, and tactical discipline, has long been admired by Mikel Arteta, who views him as the ideal successor to the departing Jorginho. Arsenal have been tracking the Spanish international for well over a year, and internal discussions had consistently placed him at the top of their midfield priority list.

At 25, Zubimendi not only fits the club’s profile for long-term squad building but also brings top-level experience from La Liga and being the winner of European competitions. His composure under pressure, ability to dictate tempo, and positional awareness make him a perfect fit for Arteta’s possession-based system. With this signing, Arsenal signal their intent to continue evolving as a tactically mature and competitive force both domestically and in Europe.

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Martin Zubimendi is a high quality midfielder, who offensive and defensive aspects of the game make him a well rounded midfield profile. The high volume passing, duel winning ability and general understanding of the game from the central spaces is simply superb

Usually playing as a deep lying playmaker for Sociedad in Spain, Zubimendi is very good in receiving in tight spaces, draw the press by playing short passes or bait press with his progressive carries up the pitch. This aspect of his game tests his decision making and technique proficiency in build up play

The ball carrying ability has become one of his trademarks whilst receiving a pass – quickly spin through pressure, drop a shoulder and accelerate forwards. The positional awareness, the utilisation of spaces and confidence on the ball makes it easier for him

Zubimendi’s ball retention in the defensive side of things is of the highest order. The standing of ground in 1v1’s, blocking of passing lanes and smart reading of the game put him in crucial positions for interceptions and tackles. This further elevates his position and role

Speaking of Martin Zubimendi as a Spaniard and not talking of his passing would he diabolical. Zubimendi’s passing technique is varied as a distributor; executes threaded passes to break the lines, accurate lofted switches to different flanks or the trademark weighted pass with back spin – the pausa helps him play the right pass at the right time

Fit at Arsenal

Arsenal have gone back to form the pivot duties in the recent season, whilst not necessarily shying away from playing a DLP. Zubimendi fits like a tee into Arsenal’s midfield. A pivot helps Arsenal to build from the base and at the same time carry forwards and act as the creative force.

Zubimendi’s as a left footed player would compliment Rice’s attacking nature in singling the duties of receiving and carrying from the first phase. Having Rice on his left as an #8 could see him play through his weaknesses and also let Ødegaard stay higher up the pitch as a creator.

Zubimendi’s likes to fixate between the 2 CBs and push higher up the pitch whenever needed. According to game states, he can sit deeper, jump higher and open up low blocks with his stellar passing. The utilisation of Rice + Ødegaard in half spaces in zone 14 will help open up defences with ease.

Arsenal are also deemed to be keeping the services of Thomas Partey for another season. This allows Zubimendi the time to adapt whilst learning from someone who’s had a similar transition from Spain to England, Learning the fundamentals of tempo, physicality can help him deputize from a rotation to a starter with time

Zubimendi’s game quite naturally is comparable to that of Jorginho. The regista role, the reading of the game, the techniques in finding passes and the ability to play as a DLP/double pivot whenever needed. As to becoming a direct replacement, there’s nothing more Arsenal could’ve done in terms of finding a long term replacement