Arsenal officially secures the deal for Martin Zubimendi
**Arsenal Bolsters Midfield with Martin Zubimendi Signing**
In a significant move for the 2025/2026 season, Arsenal has bolstered its midfield with the acquisition of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The Basque central midfielder, known for his football intelligence and composure, joins the Gunners for a transfer fee of over €60 million (around £51 million).
Zubimendi, a product of Real Sociedad’s youth academy, spent five years with the first team, making over 170 appearances across all competitions for the club based in San Sebastián, Spain. His consistent performances in La Liga attracted significant attention from top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Last year, Liverpool made a strong bid for Zubimendi’s signing, but he decided to stay at Real Sociedad. However, this summer, Arsenal secured his signature by triggering his release clause. The deal was agreed in March 2025 but was completed in July after Zubimendi spent another full season at Sociedad, a decision influenced by his connection with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the strategic recruitment of his former teammate Mikel Merino by Arsenal in 2024.
Zubimendi will reunite with Merino and another former teammate, Martin Odegaard, at Arsenal. His arrival is expected to add intelligence, composure, and high-level performance to the team. Arsenal’s Sporting Director Andrea Berta highlighted Zubimendi as a "perfect fit" for their squad, emphasizing his quality and potential. Manager Mikel Arteta stressed the midfielder’s high standard of consistent performance and his expected key role at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga, a goalkeeper with a rich history of success at Real Madrid and Chelsea, has also joined Arsenal. Kepa’s signing at Arsenal is separate from Zubimendi’s transfer. Kepa has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave Chelsea for 5 million pounds. He will compete with David Raya for the starting position at Arsenal.
Zubimendi expressed gratitude to the coaches at Real Sociedad, particularly Imanol Alguacil, in a farewell message. His departure from Real Sociedad is due to his desire to "face the challenge of living an experience away from home." At Real Sociedad, he led the team during their recent successful run, which includes a Copa del Rey and five consecutive European qualifications.
Arsenal aims to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and the addition of Zubimendi and Kepa to the squad is a clear indication of their ambition. The transfer fee for Zubimendi is the highest in Real Sociedad’s history, tied with the transfer of Alexander Isak to Newcastle. This high-profile transfer marks a significant milestone in both clubs' histories, as Arsenal looks to build a formidable team for the upcoming season.
In the upcoming 2025/2026 season, Arsenal's acquisition of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is expected to bolster their midfield, as he joins the club after impressing in European leagues, particularly in Laliga. With his impending arrival, Zubimendi will contribute to the reporting of key matches in the Premier League and Champions League, providing insights on his performances and the team's overall progress.
