Spanish midfield maestro Martin Zubimendi joins Arsenal in a £51 million move, bolstering Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Arsenal have completed the £51 million signing of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, adding a composed and intelligent presence to their midfield ahead of the 2025/26 season. Zubimendi joins Arsenal after establishing himself as one of La Liga’s standout deep-lying playmakers, admired for his tactical awareness and flawless distribution.
Zubimendi’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment, as Mikel Arteta reshapes his squad with renewed ambition. With the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, Arsenal were in the market for a disciplined midfield anchor—someone who could break up play, dictate tempo, and connect the backline with the attack. Zubimendi fits the bill perfectly.
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“This is a huge moment in my career,” the Spaniard said during his unveiling. “Arsenal play a style that suits me, and I’m proud to be joining such a prestigious club.”
Manager Mikel Arteta has long been an admirer of Zubimendi, valuing his positional sense and maturity on the ball. The addition of the Spaniard is expected to allow Declan Rice to move into a more advanced role alongside Martin Ødegaard, creating a midfield blend of steel, creativity, and control.
“Martin brings football intelligence, calmness, and the ability to read the game like few others,” Arteta commented. “He will be a key part of our team.”
Zubimendi, 26, developed through Real Sociedad’s youth system and made over 230 senior appearances for the club. His honors include:
- 🏆 UEFA Euro 2024 winner with Spain
- 🥇 UEFA Nations League 2023 champion
- 🥈 Olympic silver medalist (Tokyo 2020)
- 🇪🇸 19 senior caps for Spain
His consistency and leadership were instrumental in Sociedad’s rise as a top-four La Liga contender in recent years.
Zubimendi is expected to join Arsenal’s pre-season training in Singapore and could feature in their friendly against AC Milan on July 23rd. With him anchoring the midfield, Arsenal fans will be optimistic about mounting a serious title challenge in the upcoming season.
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