How Arsenal will line up with Martin Zubimendi

Cameron Smith

Updated: 6 Jul 2025 06:13 CDT
3 min read

Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi for a fee of just over €60 million.

The midfielder has penned a five-year contract with Mikel Arteta side, keeping him at the Emirates Stadium until 2030, and he will link up with international team-mates David Raya and Mikel Merino in north London.

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The Spain international was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool last year, with Arne Slot’s side determined to bolster their midfield core with the addition of the 26-year-old, but he snubbed the chance to join the Anfield outfit in favour of remaining at Real Sociedad for a further 12 months.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€51.4M - €62.8M

However, Zubimendi has now left the Basque side in order to join Arsenal.

Thomas Partey and Jorginho both left on free transfers last month and Arsenal have acted swiftly to arrange a deal for Zubimendi. But, how will the Spaniard fit in under Mikel Arteta?

How Arsenal will line up with Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal’s resolute backline won’t be affected by the addition of Zubimendi, although Arteta will still have a selection headache if everyone is fully fit.

David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are nailed-on starters, but the full-back positions are certainly up for debate. Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly are all in contention for a starting berth, although Arteta has favoured a pairing of Timber and Lewis-Skelly so far in 2025 and that could be set to continue.

With Partey and Jorginho departing, Zubimendi is expected to immediately become Arsenal’s new defensive midfielder. He will form an exciting trio alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the park, with Mikel Merino waiting in the wings.

© IMAGO - Martin Zubimendi will join Arsenal this summer

In addition to Zubimendi, Arsenal are expected to sign at least one new forward in 2025, with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres being heavily pursued.

However, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli will remain Arteta’s preferred attack if the Gunners aren’t able to add to their attacking roster for some reason.