A busy summer awaits for Arsenal, who, after watching their closest rivals for the Premier League title in Manchester City and Liverpool spend lavish sums already, must join the action themselves.
Arne Slot's side have been working at a frantic pace to secure the signings of the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, ensuring that they won't be staying silent in the race for next season's major honours.
Sadly for those of a Gunners persuasion, they will face the Reds in the early knockings of the season, with Mikel Arteta's side having been handed a particularly tricky set of fixtures to kick off 2025/26.
Arsenal's opening PL fixtures
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Date
17th Aug
23rd Aug
30th Aug
13th Sept
20th Sept
27th Sept
So, if it wasn't already important that Arsenal acted with haste in the market, it sure is now.
Arsenal agree fee to complete first summer signing
Will Arsenal ever sign a striker? For weeks now fans have been handed regular updates on their pursuit of both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres but without much to cheer for.
However, it does finally look as though Andre Berta has engineered a breakthrough in their quest to sign Sesko.
Sesko vs Gyokeres 2024-25 league stats (timeless)
The Slovenian has been of interest since last summer when he ultimately signed a new deal with RB Leipzig and a year on, things are edging closer.
Reports in Germany earlier this week shared that personal terms have been agreed between the striker and Arsenal, with the North Londoners now allegedly ready to satisfy Leipzig's demands with a healthy financial package.
But, Berta isn't just in negotiations to complete the signing of Sesko, with Martin Zubimendi's proposed move to the Emirates Stadium seemingly now all but confirmed.
Back in January, it was revealed that Arsenal were set to trigger the Real Sociedad midfielder's release clause of £51m and since then, the finer details of a move have been discussed behind the scenes.
It's one of football's worst-kept secrets that the Spaniard is set to join Arteta's ranks this summer but Fabrizio Romano shared the news on Thursday afternoon that a fee has now been fully agreed.
Zubimendi Real Sociedad 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Rather than paying the release clause, Romano reveals that the Gunners will pay a slightly higher fee for his services, which allows payments to be made in instalments, rather than throwing Sociedad the whole payment up front.
Why Zubimendi's signing is so important for Arsenal
Make no mistake about it, Arsenal need to sign a centre-forward this summer.
They ended 2024/25 without a single player scoring double figures in the league while Kai Havertz - albeit with the caveat that he spent a large period out with a hamstring injury - finished the season as the club's top scorer on just 15.
arsenal-havertz-champions-league
With Havertz out and Gabriel Jesus suffering a terrible ACL injury in January, it meant that makeshift striker Mikel Merino deputised. He stood in admirably, notably scoring a brace against Leicester after being parachuted on from the subs bench, while also scoring in the 3-0 home win over Real Madrid.
Despite that, Arsenal need a proper striker to challenge for major honours and in either of Sesko or Gyokeres they would be making a phenomenal signing.
The latter is certainly the more ruthless in front of goal, scoring 54 times for Sporting throughout the campaign that's just concluded. As for Sesko, he's more raw but possesses plenty of potential, scoring 21 goals for Leipzig in 2024/25 at the age of only 22.
So, while adding a forward is simply a must this summer, it's also necessary that Arsenal sign a midfielder.
Jorginho has left for Flamengo in Brazil while reports from ESPN on Thursday suggested that it was now unlikely that Thomas Partey stayed at the club. He's out of contract at the end of the month and no breakthrough has been made on a new deal.
partey-arsenal
As a result, that leaves Rice as the only player capable of playing as a holding midfielder. That is until Zubimendi arrives.
The Spain international - who is "world-class" in the eyes of former teammate Kieran Tierney - would be a cracking replacement for both Partey and Jorginho, while bringing in a proper no.6 would also give Rice the freedom to play further up the pitch.
While the former West Ham star arrived as more of a defensive midfielder, he's become a genuine elite no.8 over the last year, dazzling against Madrid and PSG in Europe.
"He’s stood up against the holders of this trophy and he’s not just competed, he’s run the show, he’s run the show in both games. He’s put himself in another bracket," barked Rio Ferdinand after Arsenal's trip to the Bernabeu.
Rice vs Real Madrid (H)
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Goals
Expected goals (xG)
Shots on target
Successful dribbles
Duels won
Stats via Sofascore.
So, if Arsenal want to see more of one of their best players in the final third, Zubimendi is necessary.
Like Rice, he's already an elite player, notably celebrated by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente as "one of the best midfielders in the world" while European football expert, Sid Lowe, has previously noted that the 26-year-old "is just about as good a deep-lying midfielder there is in Europe, apart from maybe Rodri".
zubimendi-spain
Clearly boasting immense pedigree, to be signing someone as good as that for just over £50m is an incredible coup, particularly as he's also reportedly been courted by Real Madrid.
So, while all of the talk continues to linger about Gyokeres and Sesko, Arsenal have quietly secured one of the best midfielders in Europe here. Should one of those forwards arrive, there's no doubt that Zubimendi will have just as big a role to play in any title ambitions Arteta's side has.
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