Martin Zubimendi is the latest player to take **VAVEL**’s Premier League player of the week title following his brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
The Spanish midfielder struck from range to open the scoring, before wrapping up the game with a header in the dying moments of an affair that the Gunners dominated.
Mikel Arteta’s side responded to their 1-0 defeat to champions and current leaders Liverpool by showcasing their attacking prowess – something that has perhaps been lacking so far this season.
Zubimendi has impressed in his opening four league games for Arsenal, complementing the Gunners’ existing squad.
Zubimendi is at the centre of everything
Martin Zubimendi swapped San Sebastian for North London this summer in what turned out to be a £51 million deal.
(Credit: David Price/ Getty Images)
The Spaniard was on the verge of signing for Liverpool last summer, but Arteta is rumoured to have convinced him to stay at Real Sociedad for another season during the talks for Mikel Merino.
The 26-year-old has adapted very well to life in England’s top flight, and despite not being known for his goal-scoring abilities, he took his goals extremely well.
During the embryonic stages of his Gunners career, he has already helped to strengthen an already robust Arsenal midfield. The midfielder’s tenacity and relentlessness have become key features of his game, helping the club to a decent start to the Premier League campaign.
Zubimendi’s first was a stunner. Just after the half-hour mark, Noni Madueke’s corner was headed to just outside the 18-yard box, where the midfielder connected with the ball, lashing it past a helpless Matz Sels. The sheer swerve and venom on the strike beat the Belgian stopper.
Martin Zubimendi strikes from distance (Credit: David Price/ Getty Images)
Arsenal were cruising to a comfortable victory after Viktor Gyökeres had tapped home an Eberechi Eze cross, but the Gunners all but sealed the three points when Zubimendi added a third in the 79th minute.
The former Sociedad midfielder, standing at just five feet eleven inches, was somehow able to tower above Neco Williams and direct a headed effort past Sels.
It looked as if Zubimendi was surprised by his effort, and having only scored three headers prior to this match, it is not hard to see why. However, the 26-year-old took his chance well.
It was not just the goalscoring where Zubimendi excelled, however. A passing accuracy of just 84 per cent may look low for a number six in a possession-oriented side, but this is because the Spaniard was often looking to progress the ball, rather than move it sideways and backwards.
He also contributed defensively. The Arsenal midfielder made an interception and a recovery, as well as winning two aerial duels, something that is again impressive when looking at Zubimendi’s height compared to that of the Forest team.
It is clear that Arteta is a huge fan of the number six. The fact that he had coveted his signature for more than a year and has started him in all four Premier League matches is evidence of this.
Arsenal were often criticised for moving the ball too slowly at times last season. Zubimendi has helped raise the tempo of the Gunners' play and rarely loses the ball in doing so. He was not dispossessed during the Forest clash, helping his side to retain the football.
(Credit: David Price/ Getty Images).
With the World Cup looming, Zubimendi is also a key component of Luis de la Fuente’s side that will look to complete a Euros and World Cup double.
He opened the scoring for his country in the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal, but his efforts were ultimately in vain as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side claimed the title.
Both he and Merino are starters for club and country, something that will certainly keep Arsenal fans interested during the summer of 2026.