Declan Rice is one of Arsenal’s most important players.
The England international has been incredible for the Gunners since Mikel Arteta signed him in 2023, and he is now up there with the best in the world.
Rice is irreplaceable for Arsenal because of his ability to do almost everything on the pitch. There are very few players who can do that.
However, Arteta thinks he has another midfielder who shares similarities with Rice – Martin Zubimendi.
Answer honestly, have you been surprised by how good Martin Zubimendi has been?
Mikel Arteta says Martin Zubimendi is ‘similar’ to Arsenal teammate Declan Rice
Declan Rice and Zubimendi have formed one of the best midfield partnerships in Europe at Arsenal.
The Gunners are extremely strong in the middle of the park, and the relationship the two players have formed this season has been sensational.
Zubimendi has allowed Rice to be more involved in attack thanks to his ability to hold the midfield on his own, but that has worked the other way around as well.
The Spaniard has found himself inside the final third on many occasions. Rice drops back in such situations, and that has made it harder for opponents to mark Zubimendi.
Against Chelsea on Wednesday night, the former Real Sociedad man found himself in the box, fooled two defenders and scored a lovely goal.
Mikel Arteta was in disbelief looking at Zubimendi’s strike, and the Arsenal manager compared him to Rice after the game.
He said, as per the club’s official website: “I think when we talk about Zubi, it’s what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants; it’s a bit similar to Declan’s qualities.
“We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he’s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final third and into the box.
“He’s so composed; he sees the picture very clear. The picture actually is clear sometimes, I know the parts of the pitch and what he’s done today, I think it’s phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well.”
How much is Martin Zubimendi worth to Arsenal now?
It's certainly a lot more than the £51m we paid!
Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal’s signing of the season
Arsenal made eight new signings in the summer, and all of them have had a positive impact.
Viktor Gyokeres may not have scored as many goals as he would’ve liked, but he has contributed, while Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Noni Madueke have all chipped in as well.
However, the best signing of the lot has to be Zubimendi.
It’s never easy for someone who has never played in the Premier League to come in and hit the ground running, but the Spaniard has done just that.
Even Arteta was surprised by Zubimendi’s adaptation, and if Arsenal are to win the league, he will be one of the biggest reasons why.
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