Arsenal showing muscle in market by beating Liverpool to Zubimendi

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Mikel Arteta looks like he’s finally getting the last of his ‘Avengers’ in during this summer transfer window as he looks to get his hands on his final pieces as he looks at a long-awaited Premier League title. 

Those with Arsenal tickets are witnessing massive changes at the club and are eager to see them in action when the season begins. One of the biggest news stories around the club is the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who turned down a deal from Liverpool to be the Gunners. 

It is a £51 million transfer which the Gunners are particularly proud of for several reasons, not least the notable coup in beating Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid to his signature.

The deal was also the culmination of a two-year strategy whereby Arsenal plotted to sign Mikel Merino last summer and Zubimendi in this transfer window. The loyal Arsenal fans with tickets have been following this move from the start, but were also hesitant at one point, when other clubs joined the race. 

The Spain international appeared destined for Liverpool in 2024 before opting to remain at La Real, creating an opening for the Gunners to execute their plan of luring both midfielders to north London. The pair now sit alongside each other in Arsenal blue, taking in Singapore’s dramatic night-time skyline with Zubimendi reflecting on his new surroundings.

“It wasn’t an easy time for me because I wanted to stay at Real, but when offers come in, you start thinking about your options,” said Zubimendi, speaking in Spanish — two English lessons a week are helping him improve, but his confidence isn’t quite there yet.

“The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave Real, and it wasn’t the right time. I felt that Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying at Real was the best decision for me.”

Signing two players from one club across two summers is a highly unusual transfer approach. It was complicated by the abrupt departure of sporting director Edu and later his assistant Jason Ayto, the pair who devised the initial plan. 

Andrea Berta arrived as Edu’s replacement in March, around the time Zubimendi finally committed to Arsenal. However, the deal had to withstand late interest from Real Madrid after Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabéu.

“I think it was a well-orchestrated plan by the club, and everybody that was involved in it, to understand how we could get what we wanted in two different years, and both at the same time,” Arteta explained.

“There’s always a moment — I’m not involved, and probably they don’t tell me when it gets challenging! But when you feel that … we are convinced, first of all ourselves, and then we go to the player, the player says straight away, ‘yeah, this is exactly what I want to do,’ the agent is giving you the same impression, you are more likely to get the deal over the line.

“When one of those three parts is a bit ‘uh-uh’ [unsure], these things get a bit more complicated. But from this case, I was always very, very positive about it.”

“We have the right attitude, a really hungry group, and I think it’s amazing. However, this year, with him here, it’s great to have him because we have an excellent relationship. We’ve been together for a long time now, and I’m really happy.”

Positional flexibility is something Arteta often prefers in his signings, but the coach was clear about Zubimendi’s role further back in the midfield.

“He is a [number] six,” Arteta said. “Excited. When you have him every single day, just around the building, or in training sessions, it’s very impressive to see how he captures and processes information on the pitch. So I’m very, very happy to have him.”

Zubimendi – Real Sociedad’s Key Playmaker

Zubimendi thrived as a No. 6 for Real Sociedad last season. In LaLiga, no one on his team completed more passes (1,479), made more progressive passes (239), or intercepted more passes (44) than he did, and he was second in tackles (73) and recoveries (140) made for Real.

Arteta’s ability to quickly form a bond with Zubimendi, a chess champion as a child, was also an important factor. The pair both began their careers at the same amateur club in San Sebastián — Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea — and both later played for Real Sociedad, continuing the region’s rich football heritage, which Arteta attributes to “the environment — the passion about the game, the education.”

The connection was of palpable importance to Zubimendi. “I don’t know what he saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe,” he said. “At the end of the day, I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad. I think I’ve found him. In the few days I’ve been here, I’ve seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he’s the one.

“Arteta is the kind of coach who expects a lot from his midfielders. I think I’m going to try to do things I didn’t do before. Playing in that position, I’ll try to bring balance and provide that passing outlet that I’m known for. Beyond that, I’m sure he’ll ask me to do new things.”

Asked who he admires in the Premier League, Zubimendi’s answer is unsurprising. He said, “Whenever I watch a match, I pay close attention to the midfielders in my position, and Rodri is a role model for all Spanish midfielders.”

For Arsenal, this appears to be another step in the right direction. With a potential striker incoming, those with Arsenal tickets are already recognising that this could be a year of change and a year that sees them to silverware. 

Arsenal’s first six games

Sun, Aug. 17 Man United (a)

Sat, Aug. 23 Leeds (H)

Sat, Aug. 30 Liverpool (a)

Sat, Sept. 13 Nottm Forest (H)

Sat, Sept. 20 Man City (H)

Sat, Sept. 27 Newcastle (a)

Arsenal tickets for the opening games are now available for purchase. 

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