Arsenal have completed their second signing of the summer transfer window, welcoming Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
It was back in January when Arsenal were linked to Zubimendi, as the news of the Gunners agreeing a deal for the Spaniard shocked everyone.
The 26-year-old, who had been at Sociedad for his entire career, left his boyhood club to join Mikel Arteta’s project at the Emirates.
Zubimendi will wear the number 36 in North London, arriving in the Premier League in a deal worth £51m.
Martin Zubimendi was surprised by Martin Odegaard
Zubimendi admitted he ‘set his sights’ on Arsenal once it was decided that he would leave Sociedad.
The Spaniard believes he’s the perfect fit for Arteta’s style of play, trading the Basque Country for a Basque manager in N5.
During his first words after being unveiled, the midfielder admitted that he has a lot in common with Arteta, as both he and the Arsenal manager began their playing careers at Antiguoko.
It’s not only Arteta that Zubimendi shares common ground with, as the Euro 2024 winner is very familiar with captain Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard and Zubimendi briefly crossed paths at Sociedad while the Norwegian was on loan, and during that time, the skipper managed to surprise his new teammate.
“Apart from how hard Martin works on the pitch, I was surprised by how much he works off the pitch at the gym,” Zubimendi explained to Arsenal’s official website.
“He is 100% focused on his fitness. As for Real, it’s difficult when you’re on loan, but Martin experienced all that.”
Zubimendi and Odegaard played just five times together, a number that’s set to increase once the action resumes.
Zubimendi excited to reunite with Mikel Merino
Arsenal are already a home from home for Zubimendi, who knows Arteta, Odegaard and of course, Mikel Merino and David Raya.
Merino and Zubimendi made 169 appearances together in midfield for Sociedad, combining for two goals in that time.
On reconnecting with Merino, Arsenal’s newfound goalscorer, Zubimendi admitted that having both the midfielder and fellow Spaniard, Raya, in the team will make things ‘easier’.
“I’m happy to be here with them. I’ve played many games alongside Merino over the years.
“It’s important because it will make the transition much easier for me, and I’m sure they’ll be a great help.”
Leaving the club of your life will have its obstacles for Zubimendi, but it’s clear that the 26-year-old has plenty of familiarity already in N5.
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