**Arsenal**ended their preseason prep with a 3-0 victory against Athletic Club to clinch the Emirates Cup. At the heart of the success in the sunshine was Martin Zubimendi, but the Basque believed that he owed his brilliant display to the other two men in the middle of the park, who were "top players."
‘It was an important game to win’
The Spaniard decided not to move to England a year ago when **Liverpool**registered their interest, and all eyes are on him this summer after he put pen to paper with the Gunners. He works under the management of a fellow Basque, and he feels confident he has chosen the right club for his career.
“It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me. I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. “
The midfielder must have also imagined he would walk into the right sporting context to thrive. He played briefly with **Martin Odegaard**when the club captain was on loan at Real Sociedad in 2020, while the mobility and intelligence of Declan Rice put him on a better platform to excel in more of a double pivot. It is no wonder that the 26-year-old has such a high opinion of these two teammates.
“They are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all.”
Pride would have been at play for Zubimendi, whose old club are the rival of Athletic Club. Above all, after the 1-0 loss to **Tottenham**in the first overseas North London derby and a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal, it was imperative for the group to give the spirits of the supporters and the squad a lift.
“It was important. We came from two defeats. They were friendlies, but this club does not understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and end preseason with a good feeling.”
The team have been training in Spain and England, trekked to Singapore and Hong Kong, and ended their preseason in front of the fans at the Emirates Stadium. Fixtures against English, Spanish, and Italian opposition have put the players through their paces as they must learn to deal with any hurdle.
“The truth is that this team has to adapt to all contexts, whether it's losing or winning, with the aim of winning above all. Let's hope we can get through these types of games and do great things.”
The preseason provides clubs a chance to connect with their fans in other nations and grow the global brand. In the last three weeks, Zubimendi has seen for himself how big **Arsenal**are across the world.
“I noticed in the Asia tour. It's a team that reaches the whole world. When I got here, these two games were incredible. Though we didn't win the other day, the atmosphere was incredible, more so today.”
It has been an enjoyable spell for the Spaniard. However, he knows that the results from now on are what matter the most, starting with a trip to **Old Trafford**next weekend to play Manchester United.
“It's a good end to pre-season, but the best is yet to come. In the end, the league is the league. We like to compete; we like to win. I'm very happy that it's starting now.”