The Decision Behind Zubimendi’s Move
In an interview, Martin Zubimendi expressed his openness regarding his choice to go to Arsenal in the middle of 2025, stating the reason why he rejected a proposal from Liverpool the previous year. According to sources from Daily Cannon, the Spanish midfielder confessed that he left Real Sociedad in 2024 “wasn’t the time to do it“. Together with a hard season in Spain, he considered himself ready to a new challenge, especially after observing what Arsenal had achieved under Mikel Arteta. The date, the desire, and the foresight harmonized and that was when he decided to go with the transfer he had postponed the previous year.
Zubimendi admitted that the telephone conversation with Arteta made up his mind: “Once Mikel got in touch with me, it was clear. He is obsessed with the minutest details, with control, with football. And he got me to think that Arsenal was the most amazing project for me.” The midfielder was won over by Arteta’s vigor and tactical sharpness, complimenting the coach’s relentless spirit and neatness in explaining his role in the squad.
Impressive Start at Arsenal
The moment he came in, Zubimendi has been on fire at the Emirates. He has not only controlled Arsenal’s central play with his passing but has also protected the backline and added on the attack. As a result, his game has been transformed from mere central play to the complete one. In September, he got the nods for Premier League Player of the Month and PFA Fans’ Player of the Month, and finally, he won the Goal of the Month award for his fantastic volley against Nottingham Forest.
Zubimendi is the central figure in Arsenal’s starting line-up, having started almost all of the matches this season, and he was instrumental in them being at the top of the Premier League as well as their Champions League group. The general opinion of him is that he is Arteta’s ‘conductor,’ as he effortlessly connects the defensive and attacking phases of play with his calmness and at the same time, very aware of his surroundings, which is quite rare for a new signing.
Tactical Role and Rising Influence
Zubimendi coming to Arsenal has definitely helped the Gunners have more control in midfield. Analysts have drawn parallels between him and Rodri of Manchester City on account of his smart positioning and the fact that he manages to strike a perfect balance between defense and distribution. But Zubimendi is not only a deep-lying playmaker-he has also impressed fans with his powerful flight and accurate passing, which has made him unexpected for the opposition as a new threat in set-piece situations.
The way he has delivered on the field shows that Arteta really put up a fight to get him here. Arteta’s belief in the play-building of the Spaniard has injected new life into Arsenal’s game when they are under duress, giving them not only control but also a tempo that goes well with the attacking flexibility of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
Confidence and Clarity About His Choice
Before completing his move, Zubimendi addressed speculation about potential transfers, reaffirming that Arsenal’s combination of ambition and stability motivated his decision. He admired the club’s youthful core, tactical maturity, and sense of belonging, traits that he found missing elsewhere. He explained that Arsenal was a “destination” for him, not a stepping stone, emphasizing his long-term commitment to helping Arteta’s side compete for major honors.
Author’s Note
A career which started at Real Sociedad and has now reached to Arsenal demonstrates Martin Zubimendi’s smart career planning and belief in the right place. Instead of immediately going to Liverpool, he picked waiting for 12 months which eventually enabled him the opportunity to be part of a club that matches his playing style – ambitious, technical and close-knit. Under the detailed instruction of Arteta, the Spaniard is not only turning into the mainstay of Gunners’ dreams of winning in the Premier League but also Europe.
