New Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi has praised Martin Odegaard and defined why he has “quite a bit in widespread” with boss Mikel Arteta after finishing a “large” transfer to the Premier League giants from Spanish facet Actual Sociedad.
Spain worldwide Zubimendi has adopted former Sociedad central midfield accomplice Mikel Merino to hitch the Gunners, making the transfer for a reported price of round £60 million after Arsenal agreed to exceed his £51m launch clause so as to be allowed to pay in instalments.
“It’s the transfer I used to be in search of and one I needed to make,” the 26-year-old instructed Arsenal’s website. “As quickly as you set foot right here, you realise how massive this membership and this crew are.
“I set my sights on Arsenal as a result of their model of play is an efficient match for me. They’ve proven their potential lately and the most effective is but to come back.”
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Martin Zubimendi: Arsenal full switch
“Martin is a participant who will convey an enormous quantity of high quality and soccer intelligence to our crew,” mentioned Arteta. “He’ll slot in rather well and he has all of the attributes to be a key participant for us.
“The usual he has constantly carried out at over the previous few seasons for each membership and nation is strictly why we’re so excited to have him with us.”
Sporting Director Andrea Berta mentioned Arsenal took “a number of pleasure” in finalising the switch, which is assumed to have concerned greater than a 12 months of planning and negotiations, in addition to seeing off reported curiosity from Actual Madrid and Liverpool.
“Martin was a key goal for us and everyone knows that he’s an ideal match for our squad with the top quality he has,” added Berta.
Zubimendi: Merino, Odegaard ‘nice assist’ at Arsenal
Zubimendi has performed with Merino 169 occasions for Sociedad and Spain and is aware of Arsenal captain Odegaard from the midfielder’s spell on mortgage at La Actual from Actual Madrid in 2019/20.
“I’m joyful to be right here with them,” he mentioned. “I’ve performed many video games alongside Merino through the years. It’s necessary as a result of it would make the transition a lot simpler for me and I’m certain they’ll be an important assist.
“Other than how exhausting Martin works on the pitch, I used to be shocked by how a lot he works off the pitch on the health club. He’s 100% targeted on his health.”
Mikel Arteta: ‘Rather a lot in widespread’ with Zubimendi
Like Zubimendi, Arteta was born in San Sebastian, performed for beginner youth crew Antiguoko within the metropolis and went on to hitch Sociedad.
“We’ve quite a bit in widespread,” mentioned Zubimendi. “We’ll have one thing to speak about off the pitch – I’m joyful about that.”
The Sociedad youth product is Arsenal’s second summer season signing following the arrival of former Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m.
Martin Zubimendi stats
Zubimendi made 236 appearances for Sociedad, profitable the 2019/20 Copa del Rey with Merino and serving to them attain the Champions League in 2022/23.
He performed in all 5 video games as Spain received silver on the 2020 Olympic Video games and has 19 caps, together with one as a half-time substitute for injured Manchester Metropolis lynchpin Rodri as Spain beat England 2-1 to win Euro 2024.
Certainly one of his two objectives for La Roja was the opener within the Nations League final in June, though Portugal proceeded to take the title on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
When does Arsenal’s 2025/26 Premier League season begin and finish?
Having been runners-up to Liverpool in 2024/25, Arsenal resume their rivalry with Manchester United on the opening matchweek of the 2025/26 season.
The sport at Previous Trafford is at 16:30 on Sunday, August 17 and is dwell on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion, Premier League and Extremely within the UK.
The final spherical of matches will all begin on the similar time on Might 24 2026. No rounds will happen inside 60 hours of one another and there can be no fixture on December 24.
