Mikel Arteta could field something of a new-look midfield for Arsenal next season, with Martin Zubimendi set to arrive at the club.
The Gunners mostly deployed a trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard last season, with the likes of Jorginho and Mikel Merino rotating into this configuration from time to time.
However, Jorginho is now set to join Flamengo on a free transfer, while Partey is likely to take more of a backseat as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Zubimendi will sign for Arsenal for £51 million, and is likely to take the midfield mantle moving forward.
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino impress together for Spain
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino shone for Spain against France in the Nations League on Thursday night.
The pair spent six years together at Real Sociedad and started together in midfield with Barcelona’s Pedri against Les Blues in Stuttgart.
Luis de la Fuente’s side ran out 5-4 winners in the semi-final, with Merino finding the back of the net, alongside a brace from Lamine Yamal and strikes from Pedri and Nico Williams.
Zubimendi impressed at the base of the Spanish midfield, dictating the game with some exceptional line-breaking passes, while screening the back four with a number of impressive defensive interventions.
Meanwhile, Merino was often the recipient of Zubimendi’s penetrative passes, with the number eight looking to influence proceedings in the final third throughout.
Spain will now meet Portugal in the tournament’s final on Sunday.
Arsenal fans react to Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino’s performance for Spain
Zubimendi shocked Arsenal fans with some coy comments about his future earlier this week, with many feeling that the Spaniard is still holding out for a move to Real Madrid.
However, the deal is said to be all but done, and the Gunners faithful were certainly excited by what they saw from the Sociedad man in Germany on Thursday night, alongside former and future teammate Merino.
One fan wrote on X, after Zubimendi fed Merino with a scintillating pass that led to the latter’s goal: “See that pass through the lines by Zubimendi to Merino? Yeah, we are going to cook.”
Another added: “Zubimendi, by the way, threading the needle in that Spain midfield, with Merino, he doesn’t need to do the dirty work.”
Another supporter wrote: “Midfield masterclass from Merino and Zubimendi. Bravo.”
Another posted a gif of a happy baby, with the caption: “Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in my team next season.”
Arsenal fans will hope this performance from the pair is a sign of things to come at the Emirates.
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