Arsenal are reportedly finalising a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, according to Sky Sports. They will meet the £51M transfer fee requested by his club. Zubimendi has been linked with Arsenal for months following regular praise from Mikel Arteta.
The midfielder snubbed Liverpool in the last transfer window, preferring to stay in San Sebastián instead. The player has not flown to London yet for his medical, but sources claim the transfer is imminent.
Arsenal’s Midfield Needs
A holding midfielder is rarely hyped, but Arsenal need to invest in this position. Mikel Arteta has indicated his passion for Zubimendi for months now, as the midfielder is likely to be a key foundation of Arteta’s puzzle.
⏱ 58 matches
⚽️ 115 goals
⛔️ 13 clean sheetsDive into the numbers behind our 24/25 campaign 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 30, 2025
Jorginho is rumoured to leave the club to join Brazilian side Flamengo, while Thomas Partey’s contract is also running out. This leaves Arsenal with Declan Rice and the need for another midfielder.
Technical Upgrade
Zubimendi will not only fill a squad spot but also have a profound influence on the team’s dynamics. Arsenal mostly have physical midfielders, capable of running up and down, but few with an impressive technical package. This is a must to unlock creativity in a squad that relies on transitions. Zubimendi will be the player to provide passing lanes, although he is physically weaker than his counterparts.
Arteta’s Spanish Vision
Arteta’s football has always been inspired by his Spanish roots, in the understanding that midfielders need to be hugging the ball, valuing it instead of treating it like a hot potato. With Zubimendi, Arteta will have a composed player on the ball, selecting his passes according to the situation.
Arsenal fans, meet your dream DM.
Martin Zubimendi will set our tempo in midfield, he makes everyone around him better! 🇪🇸 🧠 ♟️ pic.twitter.com/xjwcSenhYO
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) May 30, 2025
It is not the first time that the Arsenal coach has requested the club sign a Basque player. Last season, Arteta brought another Real Sociedad midfielder, Mikel Merino.
Although he eventually ended up as a striker instead, it demonstrates the love Mikel Arteta has for Basque midfielders, and more broadly, Basque players. Zubimendi is likely to end up as the midfield maestro, organizing his team.
Trophy Ambitions
Although Arsenal had a relatively successful season, finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, it remains insufficient for Arsenal fans and Arteta himself. The club once again ended the season on a bitter note, without any trophies to boast about.
Tactical Intelligence
Zubimendi has been chased by other elite clubs in Europe. Among them are Spanish champions Barcelona, as well as Manchester City and Real Madrid. He was part of Spain’s EURO 2024 – winning squad, replacing Rodri when he left the pitch injured at half-time in the final.
Welcome to The Arsenal Martin Zubimendi!
🇪🇸🔴⚪️
— The N5 History (@TheN5News) May 28, 2025
More than in possession, Zubimendi will be a key player under Arteta due to his tactical intelligence. He tries to prevent threats instead of dealing with them, looking to be one step ahead of his opponents.
He acts as a leader at the heart of the pitch, which is important given the doubts in Arsenal’s project. A leader is needed in the midfield, capable of acting as a captain.
Leadership Qualities
Zubimendi is only twenty-six years old, but he has been one of the strongest characters in Real Sociedad’s dressing room. Teammates have described him as someone “proud but humble”.
One of the advantages that comes with Zubimendi is that he’s two-footed, meaning he’s equally comfortable with his left and right foot. This is a rare quality that has its importance in transition, especially at the heart of the midfield.
BREAKING: Arsenal finalising deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi after meeting conditions of £51m release clause in contract 🚨🔴 pic.twitter.com/H05nEiaeNj
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 28, 2025
Zubimendi is a daring midfielder, more than happy to build up with the ball as high as possible, before choosing his pass. Like many other La Liga midfielders, he shields the ball as if it were his own, which could be valuable in a team led by mostly physical players.
Playing Style
Arsenal have often been criticised by fans as playing ‘too flat’, and therefore too horizontal. Zubimendi’s carries could remediate that, allowing his teammates to occupy higher positions.
With Arsenal dominating possession, his lack of physicality should not be a problem. In addition, he tends to excel in ground duels, which Arsenal have prioritized this season. In the words of his youth coach AItor Zulaika: “He is so good with the ball, controlling the game, passing. But he defends brilliantly as well”.
Risk-Taking Mentality
His former teammates said that Zubimendi was always looking to hold the ball, willing to take the responsibility for carrying the ball forwards.
🚨 Arsenal agree deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, here we go! ❤️🤍
Zubimendi has now verbally agreed to sign a long term deal… so formal steps must follow soon with Arsenal to trigger €60m clause.
Zubi, ready to become the first signing of the new season. pic.twitter.com/yzYJOydstE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 10, 2025
This is something few players have at Arsenal, with the exception of Jorginho (who is set to leave). He takes more risks than his counterparts, like for example Declan Rice, which explains Arteta’s admiration for the player.
Adaptation Challenge
It should be stressed that Zubimendi has never played abroad. As a matter of fact, he never left San Sebastián, joining Real Sociedad from a young age.
Adaptation from La Liga to the Premier League can be brutal, but the presence of Merino may help him.
He said no to Real Madrid. No to Liverpool.
Zubimendi picked Arsenal. This is what he brings to the table.— Slxt (@afcslxt) May 28, 2025
The two players played together at Real Sociedad at the heart of the midfield, both figuring in La Liga’s best midfielder rankings. Zubimendi was shortly coached by Xabi Alonso in Real Sociedad’s second team, and had already earned praise from the now Real Madrid coach.
Perfect Fit for Arteta
More than Zubimendi himself, this could help Arteta. He never hid his love for his Basque lands, and having players of similar backgrounds could help the coach himself.
More importantly, this will be an influential signing for the team, where most midfielders prefer to play it safe. Few players can hold the ball as securely as Zubimendi can, which would allow Arsenal to further dominate their opponents.
