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ARSENAL is set to commence its summer recruitment with a £50 million bid for Martin Zubimendi.
What can the Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder bring to Mikel Arteta’s squad? Spanish journalist Andy West evaluates the potential of the 26-year-old.
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Agile, poised, and assertive… it’s evident that Zubimendi’s abilities would propel him into the upper tiers of European football.
Having advanced from Real Sociedad’s youth ranks to their first team five years ago, Zubimendi emerged as a prospective replacement for the aging Sergio Busquets at Barcelona.
While that transfer never materialized due to Barça’s financial issues, the comparisons remain pertinent.
Zubimendi operates similarly to Busquets, stationed at the base of midfield, safeguarding the defense while effectively linking defense and attack.
He shows proficiency in maintaining possession under duress, exhibiting the capacity to receive and control the ball in tight spots.
However, Zubimendi brings a more dynamic physicality than Busquets, enabling him to evade pressure by advancing into open spaces while in possession.
Rather than being extravagant, Zubimendi prioritizes executing his duties reliably without seeking the limelight.
His remarkable game awareness positions him consistently to assist teammates or interrupt opponents’ rhythm, greatly aiding in game management.
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Integral to Real Sociedad’s approach is thwarting counter-attacks by applying aggressive pressure in the early possession phase, including tactical fouls when necessary.
Zubimendi’s tally of 47 yellow cards—yet no reds—underscores his readiness to employ calculated aggression.
Importantly, his 11 goals and eight assists across nearly 250 matches indicate that he remains largely uninvolved in offensive play; that’s not his primary focus.
Zubimendi strengthens his team through disciplined positioning, rapid distribution, and constricting the opponent’s space rather than chasing individual accolades.
A pressing concern about his well-anticipated transfer to Arsenal is whether he can seamlessly adapt to a new team and league.
Having grown up in San Sebastián and joining Real Sociedad at just 12 years old, it’s the only professional club he has known.
The Basques are celebrated for their elite youth development system, ensuring a consistent style across age groups that facilitates smooth transitions to senior football for local talents.
Agile, poised, and assertive… it’s evident that Zubimendi’s abilities would propel him into the upper tiers of European football.
Outside his comfort zone, Zubimendi has rarely made a significant impact for his national team.
Since debuting for Spain in 2021, he has struggled to secure a consistent starting position, often playing second fiddle to Manchester City’s Rodri, with just one start during last summer’s successful Euro campaign.
Can Zubimendi thrive beyond the familiarity of his childhood club?
No coach may be better positioned to aid this transition than Arteta, a fellow San Sebastián native.
The Arsenal manager knows precisely what he is acquiring, with assistance from former teammate Mikel Merino further aiding this integration.
At 26, Zubimendi is at a pivotal moment in his career. The transfer to a prominent title contender like Arsenal has been on the horizon for some time.
As long as he is entrusted with unifying the team rather than being expected to solely secure victories, all indications suggest Zubimendi will quickly evolve into an essential component of Arteta’s Arsenal.
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