Poignant Thomas Partey strength shows why Arsenal are desperate to beat Real Madrid to Martin Zubimendi transfer

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Arsenal aren’t looking to give up their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer transfer window. 

During the January transfer window, it was reported that Arsenal were the frontrunners to land Zubimendi. 

The impressive Real Sociedad midfielder has since generated additional transfer attention, with Real Madrid eyeing Zubimendi.

Despite the Galacticos’ interest, Arsenal remain confident about signing Zubimendi, who could arrive to fill a pending void in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

• READ MORE: Inside the life of Martin Zubimendi, everything about the Arsenal transfer target set to make £51m switch

Martin Zubimendi can mirror one of Thomas Partey’s strengths 

Though the focus of the summer transfer window will be on which attackers Arsenal target, a rebuild is expected to happen in midfield. 

Zubimendi could arrive with clear instructions to replace Thomas Partey, who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer.

Partey has admirers in Spain and is expected to bid farewell to Arsenal after five years of service.

The Ghanian offers Arteta midfield stability to allow those ahead of him to roam, being a keen duel winner, as the numbers show.

On X, football data expert Scott Willis drew attention to the most efficient duel-winners at Arsenal, with Partey sitting as the best, winning 60.3% of the 189 ground duels he’s faced.

Arteta will have to find a replacement for the midfielder’s strength, something the Gunners have already done with interest in Zubimendi.

In LaLiga, the Spaniard is winning an average of 60% of his total duels per game this season, via Sofascore, proving that he can match Partey in that area ahead of his proposed move to the Emirates. 

Zubimendi ‘on his way’ to Arsenal 

With the understanding that Zubimendi could sufficiently replace Partey, it’s no wonder that Arteta is keen to recruit his countryman.

There was some concern as Real Madrid’s interest was reported however, the latest verdict from Spain is very much in Arsenal’s favour.

Marca reported on Zubimendi’s future, publishing comments from journalist Oscar Badallo.

“Zubimendi is on his way to Arsenal. There’s no need to dwell on it any further,” Badallo stated. 

The Euro 2024 winner could be Andrea Berta’s first signing as Arsenal’s sporting director, a move that has the potential to be a huge success for the Gunners.