Football writer Alex Keble looks at how Martin Zubimendi could fit in at Arsenal.
In completing the signing of Zubimendi, it is no exaggeration to say this could be the purchase that allows Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to take the final step towards an elusive title after three successive seasons of finishing second.
There is understandably clamour among Arsenal supporters for a No 9, which reportedly remains a priority, with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres being strongly linked with a move to the Gunners.
But signing an elite No 6 – someone who can start moves, dictate the tempo and screen against counter-attacks – can do for Arsenal what Rodri and Fabinho did for title-winning Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.
When Rodri went off injured at half-time in the UEFA Euro 2024 final, England fans began to believe. Surely, Gareth Southgate's side could start turning the screw in midfield.
Instead, Spain quickly accelerated away, thanks to Rodri’s replacement Zubimendi dominating the game; passing, pressing and weaving until England were pinned back and unable to cope.
Zubimendi can be Arsenal's Rodri–like metronome
Having a press-resistant No 6 – someone who can take neat touches on the half-turn, distribute the ball under pressure and keep things moving with crisp passing – is essential to winning the Premier League title.
And on the most basic level, Zubimendi is a clear upgrade on the options Arteta had available to him last season.
He has the technical attributes to be Arsenal’s metronomic presence at the base of midfield.
Among midfielders in 2024/25, Zubimendi ranked fourth in LaLiga for passes (1,752), successful passes (1,479) and touches (2,197).
That’s hugely impressive considering Real Sociedad only averaged 54 per cent of possession.
Pass and touch statistics - LaLiga 24/25
| Zubimendi | Total | Rank* |
| Passes | 1,752 | 4th |
|---|---|---|
| Successful passes | 1,479 | 4th |
| Open-play sequence involvements | 1,284 | 3rd |
| Touches | 2,197 | 4th |
*Rank among central/defensive midfielders
And it’s the kind of show-running ability that will only improve those around him.
Declan Rice can focus even more on driving forward, safe in the knowledge Zubimendi has the midfield on lockdown, while the inverting full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly should grow in stature with such a high-quality player alongside him.
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Zubimendi’s progressive risks can break Arsenal’s stale, sideways football
Arsenal have signed far more than just a possessional No 6.
What makes this a game-changing addition is Zubimendi’s risk-taking possession; his eye for a sharp line-breaking pass that conjures thoughts of Xabi Alonso or David Silva.
Even when surrounded by players, Zubimendi has the vision to find a team-mate with a forward pass, breaking open the game, creating space and putting his team on the front foot.
There is plenty of statistical evidence to back that up.
Progressive passing statistics - LaLiga 24/25
| Zubimendi | Total | Rank* |
| Progressive passes | 101 | 4th |
|---|---|---|
| Successful long passes | 92 | 4th |
| Forward passes | 550 | 4th |
| Total upfield succ. pass distance (m) | 8,447.7 | 4th |
| Passing accuracy % | 84.4% | 22nd |
*Rank among central/defensive midfielders
Those stats paint a clear picture of a player who is always looking forward despite playing as a No 6, explaining his unusual mix of having the fourth-most touches but only the 22nd-best passing accuracy: Zubimendi is a daring footballer.
It’s exactly what Arsenal need.
Part of the reason they drew 14 league games this season was stale possession.
Too often, Arteta’s side tamely move the ball in a U-shape around a low block, their lack of speed or forward intent allowing opponents to get into position and block the route to goal.
But with Zubimendi cutting lines, Arsenal should arrive in the final third much faster, meaning extra space for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to run into.
In other words, Zubimendi brings two opposing yet complimentary forces: greater control in the Arsenal half and greater urgency and verticality in the opposition half.
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Deceptive defensive strength will help Arsenal stop counters
Despite his frame and stature, Zubimendi is a deceptively skilled defender, consistently ranking highly (among midfielders) on raw defensive stats.
Defensive statistics - LaLiga 24/25
| Zubimendi | Total | Rank* |
| Tackles | 73 | 5th |
|---|---|---|
| Interceptions | 44 | 5th |
| Duels won | 164 | 8th |
| Aerial duels won | 54 | 4th |
| Possession won | 140 | 14th |
| Poss. won in middle third | 92 | 2nd |
*Rank among central/defensive midfielders
Turnovers are the number of possessions that start in open play and begin 40 metres or less from the opponent’s goal and Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA) is useful when trying to gauge the pressing intensity of a team.
It tells us the number of opposition passes the pressing team allow before making a defensive action to win the ball back.
The lower a side’s PPDA, the more aggressively they press.
Arsenal’s new signing's durability is a huge positive.
Zubimendi has featured in 89 per cent of Real Sociedad’s league matches across the last five seasons, playing 30+ games in every league campaign since the start of 2020/21.
It shouldn’t take too long for Zubimendi to adapt, either, considering Sociedad are a hard-pressing team with similar intentions to Arteta’s Arsenal.
They rank third in LaLiga for high turnovers (303) and have the second-lowest PPDA (10.1).
In summary: Zubimendi brings quick adaptation, Rodri-like control of midfield and line-splitting passing to reinvigorate a congealing Arsenal set-up.
He is the missing link - and a perfect signing for Arteta.