Martin Zubimendi: Arsenal sign the most rounded central midfielder in the world

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

It’s a deal that has been long awaited at the Emirates Stadium. FootballTransfers reported in January that there were only small details left to be completed to get a deal over the line and now David Ornstein has confirmed “very advanced” talks between the parties.

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Liverpool craved the Spain star in the summer of 2024 but the Gunners have shown greater persistence and are on the brink of adding the 26-year-old to their squad in the summer.

A deal matching Zubimendi’s release clause of €60 million is now likely to be completed, with this representing decent value to Arsenal given that the Euro 2024 winner has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €55m.

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What will Zubimendi bring to Arsenal?

Those unfamiliar with Zubimendi’s game may be left cool by the arrival of the player. After all, his figures of eight goals and seven assists in his whole LaLiga career are modest to say the least.

But these numbers do not paint the whole picture.

As Frenkie de Jong told Ziggo Sport Voetbal this week; “Football today focuses a lot on numbers and statistics, but that doesn’t always tell the full story of a player or a game.

“I don’t measure my performance levels by goals. If I break lines, create space, play forward passes, win duels and control the tempo, that’s how I know I have played well in a match.”

These words might have come from the Dutchman, but they could equally be applied to the Real Sociedad ace.

Indeed, it speaks volumes that Zubimendi was so seamlessly able to replace Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in the final of Euro 2024. Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit, said the change would be a “psychological blow” to Spain – it proved anything but, highlighting not only the Real Sociedad player’s quality by his ability to show it on the big stage.

Indeed, Zubimendi could lay a claim to being the most rounded midfielder in his position.

Zubimendi v Declan Rice: Playing style (2024/25)

Zubimendi vs Rodri: Playing style (2023/24)

Analytics experts SciSports show that he does a bit of everything compared, even more so than future Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice and certainly more than Rodri himself.

This versatility in terms of the style he can bring to a deep-lying midfield role will be precious for Arsenal going forward.

He will not be one of the most exciting signings of the summer, but he may just be the best.