The First Deal: Setting the Stage
Before we dive into the Martin Zubimendi saga, we’ve got to talk about the first deal. Arsenal aren’t messing around this year, and reports suggest they’ve already locked in a striker to bolster their attack. A new No. 9 could be the missing piece, but it’s the second signing that’s got me really excited: Martin Zubimendi. Why? Because the midfield’s where Arsenal’s dreams have lived and died over the past two seasons. Declan Rice was a revelation when he joined in 2023, and Mikel Merino’s arrival last year added grit and guile, but there’s still a gap.
Who Is Martin Zubimendi?
In a word? Class.
I first noticed Martin Zubimendi during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign. He didn’t start every game—Rodri was the main man, obviously—but when he came on, you could see the quality. Calm under pressure, always in the right spot, and never afraid to put a foot in. There’s a reason Liverpool chased him hard last summer, only for him to turn them down at the last minute. Loyalty to Sociedad runs deep with this guy, which makes Arsenal’s apparent breakthrough all the more intriguing.
The Martin Zubimendi Chase: A Long Time Coming
Arsenal’s interest in Martin Zubimendi isn’t new. It goes back to at least 2023, when Arteta was reportedly smitten with his blend of technical ability and defensive nous. Back then, the Gunners were fresh off a title challenge and looking to build on their momentum. Zubimendi was seen as the perfect foil for Rice, someone who could sit deep and let the ex-West Ham man roam forward. But Sociedad dug their heels in, and Zubimendi himself wasn’t ready to leave his boyhood club. Fair enough—sometimes you’ve got to respect a player’s roots.
Fast forward to early 2025, and the landscape’s shifted. Reports started trickling out in January that Arsenal were making serious moves for Martin Zubimendi again. His agents were spotted in London, talks were happening behind closed doors, and the vibe was cautiously optimistic. By mid-February, the chatter had intensified—personal terms were “verbally agreed,” a four-year deal was on the table, and Arsenal were ready to trigger his €60m release clause. Now, as we sit here in March, it’s looking like the second deal of the summer is all but done. Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal—it’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Why Martin Zubimendi Fits Arsenal Like a Glove
Let’s break this down: why does Martin Zubimendi make so much sense for Arsenal? For starters, he’s the kind of player Arteta loves. The boss is obsessed with control—every pass, every press, every transition—and Zubimendi’s tailor-made for that. At Sociedad, he’s often the anchor in a 4-3-3, sitting in front of the back four and knitting everything together. Sound familiar? It’s basically what Partey does on his best days, only Martin Zubimendi’s got youth on his side and a consistency Partey’s struggled to maintain through injuries.
Martín Zubimendi profiles like Jorginho, but he's better, so much so that he has potential to develop into an İlkay Gündoğan-type.
For now, though, he is a specialist #6 – one of the very best in the game.
Below, in an in-depth thread, I break down his move to Arsenal.
THREAD! pic.twitter.com/PYZMTaCBWc
— EBL (@EBL2017) January 15, 2025
The Second Deal: What It Means for Arsenal
So, Martin Zubimendi is the second deal of the summer—assuming the striker rumors hold up—but what does it say about Arsenal’s ambitions? To me, it’s a signal they’re not content with being perennial runners-up. Two close calls for the Premier League title have lit a fire under the club, and they’re going all-in to get over the line. Spending big on a proven goalscorer and then doubling down with Martin Zubimendi shows they mean business.
Final Thoughts
So here we are, March 2025, dreaming about a summer that’s still months away. Arsenal have agreed their second deal, and Martin Zubimendi’s at the heart of it. Whether it’s all sealed and delivered remains to be seen—football’s a funny old game, after all—but the signs are good. For a fan who’s lived through the banter era and the near-misses, this feels like a turning point. Martin Zubimendi might not be a household name yet, but if he joins Arsenal, he could be the quiet hero we’ve been waiting for. Bring on the summer—I can’t wait to see how this story ends.
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