Mikel Arteta has admitted he is surprised by how good one Arsenal player has been this season, but comments from Kieran Tierney and Xavi show he was always quality.
The campaign is just a few months old, but Arsenal have the advantage in the Premier League title race.
As well as a lethal set-piece record, the Gunners have been boosted by a big-spending summer transfer window.
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Mikel Arteta has now admitted that one player signed by the North London outfit in the latest window has surprised him.
Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest
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Mikel Arteta surprised by Martin Zubimendi
Speaking to Marca recently, the Arsenal boss was asked about comparisons between Martin Zubimendi and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Arteta went on to state how he’s been surprised by the Spanish star since his arrival at the Emirates.
He said: “I think ‘Zubi’ has to make his own way, and he’s doing so. Since he’s arrived, his impact on the team has been exceptional, and that’s very difficult.
“I’ve seen many midfielders reach the Premier League, coming from top positions in other leagues, and they’ve struggled; it’s taken them a year or two to become who they are. The speed and naturalness with which he’s adapting is surprising.”
Despite not being the tallest player, Zubimendi has been dominant aerially, rivalling Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard lauded the midfielder as ‘incredible’ this season as well.
But he’s not the only person who thinks the former Real Sociedad man is quality.
Kieran Tierney during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Kieran Tierney and Xavi praise Martin Zubimendi
Former Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney enjoyed a brief spell playing alongside Zubimendi at Sociedad and labelled him, along with Mikel Merino, as ‘world class’.
As per the MEN, he said: “You have world-class players like Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Brais Mendez. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good, it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world-class.”
Former Barcelona coach and player Xavi had a similarly positive view of the 26-year-old when he was still honing his craft in Spain.
He said: “I like all of Real Sociedad. They mirror a bit our style of play. Zubimendi is an extraordinary defensive midfielder, he understands the model we like at Barca, he dominates with and without the ball.”