Why Martin Zubimendi Could Be Arsenal's Midfield Missing Piece

Why Martin Zubimendi Could Be Arsenal's Midfield Missing Piece

Martin Zubimendi isn’t just one of Spain’s most promising midfielders — he could be the player Arsenal have been waiting for.

The 26-year-old helped Spain win the European Championship last year, stepping into the final against England with the composure of a seasoned veteran. Domestically, he’s been just as impressive, playing a pivotal role in Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey triumph and their return to the Champions League. He’s made 232 appearances for his boyhood club, becoming the heartbeat of their midfield. Now, Arsenal are looking at a player who not only brings quality on the pitch but also character off it.

Zubimendi isn’t flashy. He doesn’t need to be. He does the simple things exceptionally well — reading the game, keeping the ball moving, shielding the backline, and dictating tempo from deep. He marries superb technique with surprising physicality, and his intelligence in and out of possession makes him the kind of deep-lying playmaker Arsenal have lacked since Granit Xhaka’s reinvention and Thomas Partey’s inconsistency.

But Zubimendi offers more than numbers or a passing range. He brings leadership — quiet, assured, and authentic.

“He’s a complete person as well as a complete player,” said Aitor Zulaika, who worked with him in Real Sociedad’s B team alongside Xabi Alonso. “Very humble and simple, but also strong in personality. You don’t often find that combination.”

His former teammate, Benoit Cachenaut, echoes the sentiment: “He was always technical, quick, smart. But what stood out just as much was how friendly and grounded he was.”

In fact, Cachenaut remembers Zubimendi being one of the few teammates who visited him in hospital after knee surgery — a small act that says a lot about the kind of professional Arsenal would be getting.

Carlos Martinez, a Sociedad legend with over 200 appearances, also noted the instant impact Zubimendi made as a teenager. “He just moved the ball in a way that caught your eye,” he said. “Even at a young age, you could tell he was different.”

And while Mikel Arteta was a prodigy from day one — joining Barcelona’s La Masia at 15 — Zubimendi’s rise has been more understated. Both started at the same grassroots club, Antiguoko, in San Sebastian, and while Arteta stood out early, Zubimendi had to grow into his talent.

Statistically, he backs it up. Zubimendi played more forward passes (31.39%) than Partey, Jorginho, or even Declan Rice this season. Yes, his completion rate was slightly lower (84.42%) — but only because he takes more risks to break down defences. In La Liga, only Pedri, Valverde, De Paul, and Bellingham made more progressive passes. That’s elite company.

“He speeds up play, either with a pass or a carry,” says Montiel. “Arsenal lack that when trying to play out with one or two touches. He could be the difference.”

Zubimendi is also tactically versatile — capable of covering at centre-back or full-back when needed, much like Arteta demands from his No 6. His game understanding is elite. He reads danger, tracks runners, intercepts intelligently, and stays calm under pressure. Add that to his technical foundation, and you get a player capable of thriving in the Premier League from day one.

“He could play for any team in the world,” said Zulaika. “And Arsenal would be lucky to have him.”

Martinez agrees: “He reminds me of Xabi Alonso — and we know how well that worked out in England. He’s ready.”

For Arsenal, signing Zubimendi would be about more than filling a gap. It would be a statement. A signing rooted in identity, intelligence, and ambition — everything Mikel Arteta has been building toward.

“He was shy, and Sociedad didn’t take him at first,” recalled Roberto Montiel, vice-president at Antiguoko. “Only when Atlético Madrid showed interest did they change their mind. But you could see the signs — he was always in the right place, using both feet, reading the game well. He reminded me of Xabi Alonso.”

It’s no surprise that Zubimendi eventually ended up under Alonso’s guidance in Sociedad’s B team — and that comparison has never left him. Like Alonso, Zubimendi has tactical intelligence, a calmness under pressure, and an ability to dictate the tempo of a match. It’s little wonder he thrived even as one of the youngest in the squad.

“He wasn’t a talker,” said Zulaika, “but he spoke with the ball. Once he earned his spot in the team, no one could take it off him.”

Now, after three seasons as Real Sociedad’s most-used outfield player, he’s proven himself not only reliable but influential. His biggest audition came in last year’s Euros final, replacing Rodri at half-time and barely missing a beat. “He showed how brave he is,” said Martinez. “He wanted the ball, he drove forward, he believed in his own quality.”

For Arsenal, that kind of presence could be transformative. With Jorginho likely to depart and question marks over Partey’s fitness, Zubimendi’s profile fits like a glove. He can protect the defence, build from deep, and — crucially — play through the lines with a confidence and ambition that sets him apart.