Arsenal may have made their best signing since Declan Rice this season.placeholder image
Arsenal may have made their best signing since Declan Rice this season. | Getty Images
Arsenal made several big buys last summer but one new signing has stood out
When Arsenal spent over £250million on new signings last summer, the hope amongst fans would be that their new arrivals would be the difference as the Gunners look to end their 22-year Premier League title drought and finally reach the top of the mountain under Mikel Arteta.
A trio of second-placed finishes in recent years have indicated that success is close to returning to the Emirates, but doubts began to arise over whether the north Londoners could truly take that final step to glory.
This season has appeared different, though. Arsenal’s defensive solidity has continued, with even more prowess from set pieces and probably the strongest squad the club has had since the Arsene Wenger years. They have built on what they were already good at under Arteta and become even better at it.
‘Phenomenal’ Martin Zubimendi has transformed Arsenal this season
Martin Zubimendi may have been somewhat of an understated signing in the summer, partly as reports suggested a deal had been all-but done with Real Sociedad for several months before he ultimately arrived at the Emirates in July in a deal worth around £55m.
But sometimes it is the most understated of signings – the most seamless – which are the most effective. Zubimendi has slotted into Arsenal’s midfield with such ease that it looks like he has been playing for the Gunners for years. As elegant as he is combative, Zubimendi plays the holding midfield role with such class that he has the ability to make all the players around him better.
He even showed his prowess in attacking areas on Wednesday night as the 26-year-old scored a magnificent goal to put Arsenal 3-1 up in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, his fourth goal of the season, receiving significant praise from his manager at full-time.
“Well, I think when we talk about Zubi, it’s what else can he do?” said Arteta. “He can do whatever he wants, it's a bit similar to Declan [Rice]'s qualities.
“We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box. He's so composed; he sees the picture very clear. The picture actually is clear sometimes, I know the parts of the pitch and what he's done today, I think it's phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well.”
Zubimendi is Arsenal’s best signing since Declan Rice
There is a clear argument to be made that Zubimendi is Arsenal’s best signing since Declan Rice. Which was less than three years ago, granted, but Zubimendi is already proving himself worthy of being in the conversation alongside the likes of Rice, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel as the best signing of the Arteta era.
Alongside the likes of Sunderland skipper and former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka, it can even be argued that Zubimendi has been the Premier League’s signing of the season. He is that good, and his impact on the Arsenal midfield has been that clear.
If the Gunners are to get their hands on the Premier League trophy this season, it will be a series of astute signings who have all played their role in getting them there. But it could prove to have been Zubimendi who was the final piece of the jigsaw needed in order to get them over the line.
Continue Reading