Martin Zubimendi’s long-anticipated move to Arsenal is now all but complete, and ahead of his official unveiling in early July, one more detail has emerged — the **Spanish midfielder will wear the No. 36 shirt** for the 2025/26 season.
The decision is a surprising but symbolic one. While first-team regulars often take numbers between 1 and 30, Zubimendi has opted for the number **36**, the same number he wore during the early stages of his career at Real Sociedad. It’s a gesture that nods to his roots and journey — and may also reflect humility as he integrates into a new environment at Arsenal.
### **A Throwback to His Beginnings**
Zubimendi wore No. 36 during his debut season for Real Sociedad’s senior team, having come through the club’s youth academy with great promise. It was with that shirt number that he began carving out a reputation as one of La Liga’s most intelligent and composed holding midfielders. By choosing to return to No. 36, he’s embracing a full-circle moment — one that connects his beginnings in Spain with a bold new chapter in North London.
This move may also suggest a player not overly concerned with shirt status or glamour, but one focused entirely on **performing on the pitch**, earning his place, and contributing to the collective success of the squad.
### **A Quiet Leader, A Bold Presence**
Arsenal’s signing of the 26-year-old Spain international has been one of the club’s most methodical and long-planned moves. The Gunners paid **€65 million** — slightly above his release clause — to secure Zubimendi’s services from Real Sociedad, with the fee spread over instalments. He arrives as a **key addition** to Mikel Arteta’s midfield, offering positional discipline, tactical intelligence, and calm control in high-pressure situations.
Zubimendi is expected to rotate or pair with **Declan Rice** in central midfield, giving Arsenal a rock-solid base from which to build. His style of play — tidy, measured, and effective — has drawn comparisons to the likes of Sergio Busquets, and he is already seen as a potential long-term anchor in Arsenal’s engine room.
### **Shirt Number Signals Mindset**
By choosing No. 36 rather than a more high-profile number — such as the vacated No. 5 or No. 6 — Zubimendi’s decision can be interpreted as a mindset of **humility, work ethic, and focus**. It’s also possible that the club will offer him a more prominent number in the future once further departures or squad reshuffles take place.
Fans are already speculating whether the shirt will become a cult classic, similar to Bukayo Saka’s No. 87 in his debut season, especially if Zubimendi quickly becomes an integral part of the first XI.
### **Conclusion**
Martin Zubimendi is set to bring quality and composure to Arsenal’s midfield next season — and he’ll be doing it in the **No. 36 shirt**, a number that holds deep personal significance. While the jersey may be unconventional for a marquee signing, it’s a fitting symbol for a player who lets his football do the talking.
Arsenal fans won’t have to wait long to see the Spaniard in action, with his official unveiling and pre-season debut expected in early July.
Continue Reading