Zubimendi to Arsenal: Why This £50m Deal Could Be Arteta's Masterstroke

By Lewis Barnett 16 May, 2025 6 mins read 82 Views

I've spent the last three days obsessing over this potential Martin Zubimendi transfer to Arsenal. Not even joking. My Sociedad-supporting mate texted me at 2am yesterday: "You're taking our best player, I hate you now." Fair enough, mate.

The reports are saying he's agreed to join the Gunners for around £50million this summer. Remember when Liverpool tried to sign him last year and got flat-out rejected? Karma's a beautiful thing sometimes.

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The Rice Dilemma Nobody Talks About

Let's be brutally honest here. When Arsenal splashed that obscene amount on Declan Rice, we all thought "defensive midfielder sorted for teh next decade." But that was completely wrong.

Rice isn't a sitting midfielder. Never has been. He's wasted there.

The guy is a box-to-box monster who needs freedom to drive forward and wreck teams with those powerful runs. I watched him against Tottenham back in September and thought, "God, just let him off the leash already!"

Then Arteta brought in Merino thinking he'd be the anchor. Spoiler alert: he wasn't.

What Makes This Spanish Lad So Special?

Zubimendi is that rare breed who actually WANTS to control space from deep. He's not the biggest bloke (I reckon I've got a good 3 inches on him height-wise), but his spatial awareness is ridiculous.

The way he reads danger and closes down threats over large areas? Chef's kiss.

I remember watching him against Atletico last season. Poor Griezmann couldn't breathe without Zubimendi appearing out of nowhere to nick the ball.

The "Unlock Everything" Effect

This is where it gets interesting.

If (when?) Zubimendi arrives, suddenly Arsenal can play Odegaard and Rice as free-roaming 8s with a proper defensive anchor behind them. Just imagine that for a second.

The knock-on effect would be massive. Saka wouldn't get double-teamed constantly because teams would be too busy worrying about Odegaard in those dangerous central positions.

And our pressing would be terrifying with someone who can actually cover ground intelligently when we lose possession.

The Tempo Master We've Been Missing Since... Forever?

Yes, we still have Jorginho. Love the guy. But let's be real - Arteta doesn't trust him in big games anymore because his legs are gone. I watched him against City last season adn felt genuinely sad seeing him chasing shadows.

Zubimendi brings that same passing intelligence but with the physical attributes to actually survive in the Premier League.

What makes him unique is his ability to switch tempos. He'll calmly recycle possession for 10 minutes, lulling the opposition to sleep, then suddenly ping a laser-guided missile between lines that creates a goal out of nothing.

Those Saliba-Gabriel Limitations

Listen.

Our center-back pairing might be the best defensive duo in Europe (fight me on this), but neither is exactly Beckenbauer with the ball. They're functional passers at best.

Having Zubimendi drop between them changes everything. Suddenly our build-up play would have that conductor it's been missing.

I spent £120 on a ticket to watch us against United last season and nearly threw my overpriced hot dog at the pitch watching us struggle to play through their mid-block. With Zubimendi, that problem disappears.

The "Final Piece" Theory

Sometimes in team building, it's not about adding more superstars but finding that one specific profile that makes everything else work.

Remember when Liverpool signed Fabinho? That one player unlocked everything else in their system.

Zubimendi could be our Fabinho moment. The player who doesn't grab headlines but makes everyone around him 20% better.

The thought of him pinging balls to Martinelli making those diagonal runs... I'm getting ahead of myself, I know.

Liverpool's Loss, Our Gain?

Liverpool rarely miss on recruitment. The fact they wanted him so badly tells you everything.

Yes, they won the league without him (congrats and all that), but I can't help thinking this could be the signing that finally puts us over the top.

£50 million feels like a steal for a 26-year-old entering his prime who solves our biggest tactical issue.

I've already told my Arsenal group chat I'm getting "Zubimendi" on my away kit if this happens. They think I'm jumping the gun. Maybe I am.

But something about this signing just feels right. Like that final puzzle piece clicking into place after three years of Arteta's project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VAR's role in Premier League?

In the Premier League, the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR), which is used to assist on-field officials in making correct decisions about goals, penalties, red card incidents and cases of misidentification, is employed. The VAR analyzes footage and gives advice to the referee. He can then view the replay on the pitchside monitor prior to making a final decision. The system attempts to minimize the human errors which could impact the outcome of a football match.

What happens when a Premier League team is relegated to the bottom?

The teams who finish the Premier League season in the bottom 3 positions are relegated into the Championship. This is the second division of English football. The Championship's top two teams, plus the winner from the Championship playoffs get promoted in their place.

How do you determine the Premier League champion?

The Premier League champion is the one who has the most points in the 38 game season. Three points are awarded for each win, while one point is given for a tie and none for a defeat. If teams finish the season with equal points, then the winner is determined by the goal difference and, if needed, the number scored. If there is still a tie, the winner may be decided by a playoff, which can take place at a neutral location. This scenario, however, has never happened in Premier League history.

What community initiatives does Premier League support and promote?

The Premier League provides support for a broad range of community-based initiatives designed to improve the lives of people through football. These initiatives include education and sport development programs for children, promoting inclusivity for underrepresented football groups, and assisting projects that use the power of football to create positive social change. The Premier League's global reach allows it to make a significant impact both within and beyond the UK, emphasizing football's potential to contribute to societal well-being.

How does Premier League affect the English national team?

The Premier League plays a significant role in the development of English football talent. Many players from the league are selected for the English national team, contributing to international competitions with their skills and experience. The league's competitive nature and the quality of its players are believed to benefit the national team. The high number and quality of foreign players in the league has led to debates about how this affects English players' opportunities to get regular first team football.

Statistics

Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
The record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season by a player is 32, achieved by Mohamed Salah during the 2017-2018 campaign.
The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.
In the 1995–96 season, Manchester United achieved the largest title-winning margin, finishing 18 points clear of the second-placed team.
Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.

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How To

How To Understand Premier League Standings

Understanding Premier League results is key to keeping track of the season. The league table is ranked primarily by total points, with three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. If two teams have the same number of points, then goal difference (goals won minus goals lost) will break ties, followed by goals. The table gives insight into which teams could win the title, qualify for European competitions or be relegated. Each match is a turning point.