Morning all.
Took the four legged one for a snuffle walk late yesterday evening. Just around the local roads for a sniff and a mooch and I came across the above cul-de-sac. I couldn’t resist taking a picture so I could share it. As long as I don’t find a Vitality Avenue, I’ll be fine. I jest of course.
The big news yesterday was Martin Zubimendi becoming an Arsenal player. This deal was probably one of the worst kept secrets in the game this summer. So much so that when Arsenal finally announced his arrival yesterday, I felt little other than “about time too”.
The internet has done that to us all. It’s taken away that moment of excitement, the element of surprise, the big smile knowing we’ve just bagged a great player. Now it’s just, ok, he’s done, who is next…..
Photo from Arsenal.com
Once I made the decision to leave, I set my sights on Arsenal because I think their style of play is a good fit for me. It’s a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. Andrea [Berta] and Mikel [Arteta] took excellent care of me, leaving me with no doubts whatsoever. This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for; one I wanted to make. Of course, it’s a big change, but I’m ready to get started. – Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi knows Martin Odegaard, David Raya and Mikel Merino well of course from their time playing together for Real Sociedad and/or Spain so they should help him settle into his new club.
The Spanish international was brilliant in the Euros last year, especially the final against England after replacing Rodri and I’m pretty sure he’ll be equally as brilliant in an Arsenal shirt.
Photo from Arsenal.com
Still only 26 years old, Arsenal are getting a player who is heading into his prime years.
A factoid from Arsenal.com
Breaking down low blocks can make the difference between winning and losing and in order to do that, a line-breaking pass is a must. During 2024/25, only three players produced more line-breaking passes in La Liga than Martin Zubimendi. His 238 line-breakers were only beaten by a trio of Real Madrid players in Luka Modric, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Line-breaking passes, what’s not to love about that….
Other news came out yesterday and not just from one source. The BBC, Fabrizo Romano and David Ornstein reported that Arsenal had advanced their interest in Viktor Gyokeres. A deal is not done as a transfer fee still has to be agreed but it’s suggested Gyokeres has agreed personal terms and a five year deal. Personally, I don’t care what he might cost because a top notch striker was never going to come cheap and right now, we possibly going to pay the price for not addressing our strikers needs before now because now, every other club knows we’re desperate.
Gyokeres stats from his time in Portugal are bonkers, he’s been so good. 97 goals in just over 8,400 minutes — the equivalent of 93 full games. If he signs for Arsenal and emulates those kind of numbers, even I might think Arsenal could win the league.
Catch up in the comments.