Gary Lineker says Arsenal have signed a ‘terrific’ player who he’s a massive fan of already

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Gary Lineker has already taken a liking to one of Arsenal’s summer signings.

Andrea Berta has welcomed six players to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad so far in the hope of building on what was seen last season. 

Arsenal needed to add depth to their squad following a 2024/25 campaign derailed by injury, and that’s just what the sporting director has done.

The most prominent changes have been in midfield and attack, with Viktor Gyokeres the main talking point, being the striker Arteta so desperately wanted.

In midfield, a list of exits has seen Arteta’s favoured XI change, as Martin Zubimendi arrived in July as a firm candidate to partner Declan Rice. 

Gary Lineker is a fan of Martin Zubimendi

Fans have been blown away by Zubimendi, whom Arsenal paid £51m for from Real Sociedad. 

It’s not only supporters who have good things to say about the Spaniard, as after seeing the 26-year-old operate over pre-season, pundits have started to take a liking.

Gary Lineker dubbed Zubimendi a ‘terrific’ player when talking about Arsenal’s summer transfers on The Rest Is Football podcast. 

“So Arsenal second again last year. They’ve bought a few. Zubimendi, who I really like,” Lineker said. 

“Terrific holding player, £51m from Real Sociedad. Gyokeres, of course, is the nine, £64m. Noni Madueke from Chelsea for 40-odd million.

“Norgaard and Mosquera as well, for not that much money. Jorginho, Tierney, Tomiyasu and Tavares have gone.”

Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente raved about Zubimendi, calling the midfielder the second-best in the role in the world, behind Manchester City’s Rodri.

Now, Arsenal’s new signing will get the chance to challenge his countryman in the Premier League, a sight that many are already eager to see. 

Zubimendi has been superb in pre-season

Despite only making five appearances for Arsenal so far, Zubimendi has done more than enough to confirm his starting spot on the opening day.

The midfielder has had a near-faultless pre-season that rounded off quite spectacularly with his man-of-the-match performance against Athletic Bilbao. 

The Bilbao display was undoubtedly the best of a very good bunch, but what was most telling about the Spaniard over pre-season was his ability to remain consistently impressive.

A midfield partnership of Rice and Zubimendi will be a joy to watch over the 2025/26 season, with fans counting down the days to see the pivot take to Old Trafford.