{"id":1372453,"date":"2025-01-15T14:20:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1372453"},"modified":"2025-01-15T14:25:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:25:33","slug":"martin-zubimendi-arsenal-transfer-midfield","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/martin-zubimendi-arsenal-transfer-midfield\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal transfers: Is Martin Zubimendi Arteta’s key to creating a more Guardiola-esque side?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although we are in the embryonic stages of this season’s winter transfer window, some clubs are already looking beyond January and planning for their 2025\/26 campaigns.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One such club is Arsenal<\/a>, who have been causing concern among its fans due to a recent dip in performance, especially in the absence of talisman Bukayo Saka, who will be unavailable for the foreseeable future after sustaining another serious hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Currently, supporters are demanding that certain areas of the squad be addressed before considering next season, specifically the need for a reliable out-and-out centre-forward. This is in light of the Gunners’ reliance on Kai Havertz to fill the ‘false nine’ role, despite the German international performing reasonably well.<\/p>\n

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Naturally, a club can focus on both the present and the future. Given what could potentially be a busy summer transfer window, with various players’ signatures pursued by a multitude of clubs, it’s understandable that Arsenal has acted early to secure Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of \u00a351 million, especially with Liverpool and Manchester City showing interest.<\/p>\n

Liverpool were heavily linked with the Spanish international last summer, but a potential deal fell through. In the meantime, City turned attention to Zubimendi following the unfortunate news that Rodri, his fellow countryman and Ballon d’Or winner, will miss the entire 2024\/25 season due to a knee ligament injury.<\/p>\n

Zubimendi is expected to complete the current term with Real Sociedad before heading to north London, where he’ll reunite with former teammates and provide head coach Mikel Arteta\u2014a fellow Basque native\u2014with a welcome dilemma regarding team selection.<\/p>\n

One familiar face to greet Zubimendi at London Colney left San Sebasti\u00e1n last summer but has yet to secure a regular starting berth. Mikel Merino, formerly of Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle, has made 13 league appearances so far, but his playing time has been limited due to injuries, missing five matches because of shoulder and knee issues. When available, he’s started seven times in England’s top division, completing the full 90 minutes on three occasions.<\/p>\n

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    Merino has predominantly been utilised in central midfield, often alongside Declan Rice, who may be keeping an eye on Zubimendi’s situation, as it could prompt Arteta to reorganise his midfield. A student of football, Arteta is likely aware of Real Sociedad’s midfield during the backend of the 2019\/20 season. For those who may not know, Imanol Alguacil also preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding Merino and Zubimendi as La Real’s double pivot, with Martin \u00d8degaard in a deep-lying forward role, and interestingly, Alexander Isak leading the line.<\/p>\n

    This well-balanced 6-8-10 midfield trio could easily be recreated, which puts some pressure on Rice. However, it is likely that the former West Ham captain will continue in the ‘number eight’ role while Zubimendi takes on the ‘number six’ position. He is known to play as the deepest of the two at his current club, anchoring the midfield by operating as the lone number six when Sociedad is in possession, sitting just in front of the four-man backline while the other midfielders push further up the pitch.<\/p>\n

    Zubimendi has undoubtedly emerged as the most coveted player for the number six role in football. Liverpool’s interest last summer and Manchester City’s consideration of him as a potential replacement for Rodri highlight his appeal. However, his decision to join Arsenal may stem from the desire to step out of Rodri’s shadow, where he has often found himself in a secondary role for the Spanish national team. This situation has sparked excitement among supporters, who see the potential for Zubimendi to thrive in a more prominent position.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Since the start of the 2019\/20 season, when he made his first start for Real Sociedad,\u00a0Mart\u00edn Zubimendi has the best success rate of any midfielder in LaLiga to contest 250+ aerial duels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \u25ce 389 aerial duels contested\u00a0
    \u25ce 262 aerial duels won\u00a0
    \u25c9 67.35% win rate\u00a0<\/p>\n

    No wonder\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/HuAtmKeAHf<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Squawka (@Squawka) January 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n