Arsenal lead the Premier League, are cruising in the Champions League and put one foot in the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday night - and at the heart of it all is a quiet, understated genius
John Cross
08:23, 16 Jan 2026
Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal celebrates scoring at Chelsea
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Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal celebrates scoring at Chelsea(Image: )
There is a problem with Martin Zubimendi's £60million move to Arsenal.
It's not his fault. It's not he club's fault. In fact, it's only a problem because they moved so swiftly and got the deal done with plenty to spare.
Yep the problem is that his switch from Real Sociedad to the Emirates was about year in the making it meant that by the time his arrival was announced, is felt almost underwhelming. The big reveal wasn't a surprise and it left the vast majority questioning why Mikel Arteta had signed another defensive midfielder when he really needed a striker - Viktor Gyokeres had yet to arrive.
Fast forward to now however and Zubimendi's true quality is there for all to see and the Spain international is proving why he, in my opinion, is the best signing by any Premier League club in the summer of 2025.
There were huge deals done last transfer window. Arsenal spent a fortune. Manchester United did. Chelsea spent big. Liverpool trumped the lot with big deals.
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But amongst everything, Zubimendi arrived to little fanfare and has thrived. He is so good that it feels as if he has been playing in Arsenal’s midfield forever.
Perhaps only Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, for just £13million, comes close in terms of value for money and impact. The Swiss has taken his team to another level, been outstanding and a great influence on the rest of the Sunderland squad.
Zubimendi has stood out for that same reason. He's made Arsenal better, made those around him better.
It was the previous Arsenal recruitment team who really championed the deal, put the wheels in motion and set it up before the club’s current sporting director Andrea Berta arrived. Arsenal had tried to sign him before, Liverpool did too, but he was reluctant to leave Real Sociedad.
However, his former club teammate Mikel Merino was already at Arsenal. That undoubtedly helped him settle and now Zubimendi looks so comfortable, so assured and so good.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Zubimendi has been outstanding in midfield(Image: Getty Images)
It's wrong perhaps to pigeonhole him as a No.6. He plays the role brilliantly, reading the game, always being available. His passing is superb. But his display at Chelsea showed that he's a player who can get forward, drive the team and also score goals.
And his goal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night was magnificent, sidestepping defenders and then keeping his composure. What a player.
Arsenal spent a lot last summer. But no-one has been better than Zubimendi.
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There will always be debates over who has been Arsenal’s best player this season as they chase the title. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are in the mix. Gabriel has been hugely influential too.
Zubimendi has to be in the same conversation. But his quiet, understated genius means that he is still going under the radar when he is commanding all the headlines.
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