Five of the best Spaniards to play for Arsenal as Martin Zubimendi’s Emirates switch nears completion

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It is looking like Martin Zubimendi will be Mikel Arteta’s first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.

Zubimendi is set to undergo his Arsenal medical in the coming days, which should be the final step before the midfielder’s transfer is officially confirmed.

In joining Arsenal, he will be linking up with compatriots David Raya and Mikel Merino, the latter of whom Zubimendi played with at Real Sociedad.

The 26-year-old will be hoping to make his mark in North London, joining the list of some of the best Spanish players to wear the famous red and white, five of whom we will cover now.

• READ MORE: Barcelona’s pursuit of ‘world-class’ Arsenal star depends on player Mikel Arteta tried to sign

Santi Cazorla – 2012 to 2018

Santi Cazorla was an absolute magician.

As good with his left foot as he was with his right, the diminutive midfielder encapsulated everything good about Arsene Wenger’s later teams.

He also came up with some vital goals and performances, none more so than his free-kick against Hull in the 2014 FA Cup final, and his man of the match display in the Gunners’ 2-0 win at Manchester City in January 2015, still the last time Arsenal won a game at the Etihad.

Cazorla was so good that, in the opinion of this writer, he is Arsenal’s best player of the Emirates era.

The only downside to his time in North London was the career-threatening injury he suffered during his final few years at the club.

Cazorla would eventually recover, however, and at 40 years old, he’s still going strong playing for Real Oviedo in his native country.

Mikel Arteta – 2011 to 2016

A teammate of Cazorla’s, Arsenal signed Mikel Arteta on deadline day during the 2011 summer transfer window.

While Everton arguably saw the midfielder’s best years, the current Arsenal manager still produced plenty of quality, encapsulated best by his winning goal against Manchester City during the 2011/12 campaign.

Eventually made Arsenal captain, the Spaniard was vital to maintaining the club’s Champions League status.

This was amidst the constant departures of Arsenal’s best players, including the likes of Robin van Persie in 2012 and Cesc Fabregas in 2011, the latter of whom we will come to now.

Cesc Fabregas – 2003 to 2011

It is a travesty that Cesc Fabregas only won one trophy, the 2005 FA Cup, during his time at Arsenal.

The Spaniard joined the club as a 16-year-old from Barcelona’s La Masia academy in September 2003 in pursuit of a clearer pathway to first-team football.

He would receive this in North London, becoming Arsenal’s youngest ever player when he appeared in a League Cup tie against Rotherham in October 2003, a record that would later be broken by Ethan Nwaneri against Brentford in 2022.

After club legend Patrick Vieira joined Juventus in 2005, Fabregas then made the central midfield position his own.

Still under the age of 20, he would go on to make 50 appearances in all competitions in the 2005/06 season, being a vital part of the side that reached the 2006 Champions League final.

As other Arsenal legends continued to depart following the move from Highbury to the Emirates, Fabregas became Wenger’s best, and most important, player.

Unfortunately, he would return to Barcelona in 2011 to work with Pep Guardiola and play alongside compatriots Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Despite Fabregas’ later move to Premier League rivals Chelsea, nothing should be taken away from the quality of the Spaniard during his time in North London.

Jose Antonio Reyes – 2004 to 2006

Jose Antonio Reyes was the first Spaniard to play for Arsenal.

The forward signed for the club as a 20-year-old from Sevilla in January 2004, making an immediate impact with a wonderful double against Chelsea in the FA Cup on his debut.

While his stint in North London wasn’t as consistent as the Spaniard may have wished, he still showed flashes of brilliance, earning himself a Premier League medal in 2003/04, an FA Cup winners’ medal in 2005, and a runners-up medal in the Champions League in 2006.

Scoring 23 goals and providing 27 assists during his 110 appearances with the club, Reyes was loaned to Spanish giants Real Madrid for the 2006/07 season, before being sold to their city rivals Atletico prior to the 2007/08 campaign.

David Raya – 2023 to present

A member of the current Arsenal first-team squad, David Raya earns a place on this list because of the consistent performances he has put in over the last two seasons.

This is reflected most clearly by the fact that following the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Raya won the Golden Glove for the second time in as many years, becoming the first Arsenal goalkeeper to do so in consecutive seasons.

After initially battling fans’ favourite Aaron Ramsdale for the number one spot, Raya has repaid his manager’s faith, nailing down the starting spot.

If the club is to end its wait for a league title, the 29-year-old will be a vital part.