Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal arrival means ‘exceptional’ star can deliver on Mikel Arteta challenge

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Arsenal’s summer rebuild has started in emphatic fashion.

Mikel Arteta has beaten Real Madrid and Liverpool to the capture of a highly-coveted Spanish midfielder as Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal medical is imminent.

Mikel Merino was Zubimendi’s teammate at Real Sociedad and will help to settle the midfielder into life at the Emirates Stadium as Andrea Berta continues to work on bringing in fresh faces.

Thomas Partey wants to stay at Arsenal amid ongoing contract talks and could provide competition for Zubimendi next season however, the Spaniard’s arrival could have a bigger impact on another ‘exceptional’ Arsenal star.

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Martin Zubimendi’s arrival to have positive impact on Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta called Declan Rice ‘exceptional’ after the midfielder scored the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Newcastle to secure Champions League football for the club next season.

However, the Gunners’ boss also laid down a challenge to Rice to improve even further in terms of his attacking output and Zubimendi’s arrival will help him do just that.

Partey has been excellent this season but whenever he has had to move to right-back, Rice has been the man to drop deeper and play as the number six in front of the back four – a role in which he struggled in against PSG.

Zubimendi possesses similar qualities to Partey and has a wonderful range of passing to allow Rice to have more freedom in his role as Arsenal’s number eight.

Declan Rice will beat his current Arsenal scoring record next season

Arsenal fans want Rice as captain but the England international will already have an added responsibility next season of chipping in with more goals and assists from midfield.

Rice finished with nine goals in all competitions this season, his best scoring season of his career and there is hope that he will improve further on those numbers.

Arteta boasts an array of riches in the midfield department despite Jorginho’s Arsenal departure and will now be hoping to have the same strength in attack following a busy summer window.

With Partey and Zubimendi at the base and Rice and Mikel Merino further forward, it also allows Martin Odegaard to have the freedom to roam and create chances.