Zubimendi ready for 'new things' after year-long wait to join Arsenal

Arsenal fans will get to see their new midfielder Martin Zubimendi in action for the first time on Wednesday - 12 months after the Gunners first set in motion a deal to bring him to the club.

The 26-year-old, one of the most highly-rated number sixes in Europe, played his first minutes for Arsenal in a behind closed door friendly against Watford last Saturday.

But his first appearance in front of supporters since making a £60m move from Real Sociedad earlier this month is expected to come against AC Milan in Singapore.

Zubimendi is a name that many football fans will be familiar with, having played a key role in Spain beating England in the Euro 2024 final. Last summer he also turned down a move to Liverpool.

What was not known at that time, however, is that Arsenal were already making moves to secure Zubimendi this summer after completing a deal for Mikel Merino.

"I think it was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club, and everybody that was involved in it, to understand how we could get what we wanted in two different years, and both at the same time," said manager Mikel Arteta.

"And both players were very keen to come, which is very necessary. I think we had a club in Real Sociedad that understood the situation, and they've been excellent.

"We did what we wanted and the players did what we wanted. I think Real Sociedad at the end were happy with the outcome, so I think it's a very positive outcome for all parties."

Arteta was asked if Zubimendi was going to play more as a six or a number eight and, without hesitation, the Arsenal manager made clear why he has brought Zubimendi to the club.

"Six. Really excited," he said. "And again as I said before when you have him every single day, just around the building, just in training sessions, how he captures the information, how he processes things on the pitch, it's very impressive.

"I'm very, very happy to have him."

Zubimendi says it "wasn't an easy time" for him last summer, trying to decide what was best for his future during a spell of intense transfer speculation.

"The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave Real, and it wasn't the right time," he explained.

"I felt that Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying at Real was the best decision for me."

Zubimendi and Arteta hit it off after speaking on the phone and the Spain international says that the Arsenal manager's "obsession" with "details" is one of the reasons why he wanted to join the club.

"I don't know what he saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe. he explained.

"At the end of the day, I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad.

"I think I've found him. In the few days I've been here, I've seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he's the one."

Zubimendi also says he is learning "a lot" from his new boss.

"I think I'm going to try to do things I didn't do before," he said. "Playing in that position, I'll try to bring balance and provide that passing outlet that I'm known for.

"Beyond that, I'm sure he'll ask me to do new things."

Zubimendi was talking to reporters alongside team-mate Merino as part of Arsenal's away kit launch at the Nova Rooftop in Singapore.

Despite following Merino to Emirates Stadium, the pair "didn't speak much" about the prospect of being reunited during their year apart.

"I think we were fighting for big things," said Merino, who also plays alongside Zubimendi with Spain. "For me it was a really tough season last year and he was really focused in Sociedad.

"Even with the national team we didn't touch that subject.

"I guess I was only focused on my thing. I was asking him how he was doing at Sociedad, but we didn't talk about our future."

The signing of Zubimendi alongside Christian Norgaard from Brentford means that Merino will have a bigger battle to get into the starting XI, with Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard also playing in the same area of the pitch.

"It's unbelievable the amount of quality and talent that we have, not only in the midfield but in the whole squad," said Merino. "I think this is a great, great thing to have.

"It's not only pushing each other in every training session and every game to get better, but as well, we saw last year, and we have examples now, how important it is to have a long squad with every player available.

"Because injuries can happen, because rotations need to happen. Hopefully this season we can show that we are a strong squad."

Zubimendi is a statement signing for the Gunners and it is hoped he can be the catalyst to help the club to begin a new era of winning trophies after coming so close in recent seasons.

"I hope so," said Zubimendi. "The most important thing about this club is that they learn from previous seasons.

"I think the lessons they've learned from how last season ended will be key to getting even closer to this year's targets.

"Ultimately, I believe that football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League.

"I feel that Arsenal were the only team in that semi-final who truly stood up to PSG [Paris St-Germain], and they let it slip because of minor details.

"I also agree with Merino that it's a long season, and injuries play an important role, so the fewer we have, the better."