Arsenal are now making considerable progress in their attempts to upgrade Mikel Arteta’s squad for next season.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is working on several deals right now and Arsenal are poised to bid again for Cristhian Mosquera at Valencia, the latest player they hope to bring in to improve squad depth.
Arsenal have won the race to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford as well and Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga should also be another experienced addition to Mikel Arteta’s team.
However, all of the names listed are predominantly being targeted to improve squad depth, even if they will often appear on the pitch for Arteta.
But in terms of improving the club’s starting eleven, Arsenal have agreed to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a move that might be official very soon.
Martin Zubimendi has flown to London to sign for Arsenal
Recent reports in Spain stated that Martin Zubimendi was ready to say ‘goodbye’ to Real Sociedad ahead of his move to Arsenal.
And local Real Sociedad source Noticias de Gipuzkoa have now taken things one step further by confirming that Martin Zubimendi has now travelled to London.
Martin Zubimendi controls the ball during a Real Sociedad match.
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images
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According to the report, Zubimendi flew from Spain to London on Sunday with his representative Inaki Ibanez.
Therefore, it’s expected that the Spain international will soon officially be an Arsenal player, with a deal expected to be announced ‘in early July’.
Arsenal have agreed to pay £54m for Zubimendi — slightly more than his release clause so that payments can be made in installments.
Of course, Arteta had been messaging Zubimendi for a long time in order to convince him to head to north London, and it seems as if the club’s hard work has paid off.
How will Martin Zubimendi slot into Mikel Arteta’s midfield?
Although more stylistically similar to Jorginho, Zubimendi will predominantly appear as Thomas Partey’s replacement next season.
Zubimendi will sit at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, and for the most part, it will be Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard playing ahead of him.
Declan Rice Martin Zubimendi Martin Odegaard
Mikel Merino Christian Norgaard Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal’s midfield squad depth next season.
Arteta will then also have the likes of Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri and Norgaard on hand to come in.
And although Kai Havertz has played his best football as a striker for Arsenal, the German might often pop back into midfield himself next season.
Arsenal are ‘making progress’ in their striker hunt and Havertz will need to share minutes up top — a healthy situation for Arteta.
And however the Spaniard crafts his team, it’s clear that Zubimendi will be a huge part of plans.