According to the Daily Mail, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has agreed to join Arsenal next summer.
It is reported that Zubimendi, 25, has a release clause of £51 million, which will be formally triggered when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.
The Spain international, a long-term target for the Gunners, was also pursued by Liverpool last summer but opted to remain in San Sebastián for another season.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Zubimendi is linked to the expected departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, both of whom are out of contract in the summer. Jorginho has been linked with a move to Brazil, while Partey has attracted interest from La Liga clubs, including Barcelona.
Of Arsenal’s three other senior midfielders, two – Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino – previously played alongside Zubimendi during their time at Sociedad. Another of the Spaniard’s former teammates, Alexander Isak, has also been linked with a summer move to the Emirates.
If the deals come off, Arsenal fans will feel confident of a top-four finish in La Liga.
In all seriousness (how’s that for a Lampardian change of tone), a deal for Zubimendi would represent a real coup given the competition for his signature. Manchester City also contacted the player’s representatives when Rodri picked up an ACL injury earlier in the summer.
Arteta only wants spaniards now?
apparently Spanish players are quite good at football
Well they are quite good at football
I’m not saying is a bad thing though
We have three Brazilians in the team. Two Spaniards…
We did just buy an Italian a few months ago, and if you think that’s the same thing let Calafiori ask for some butter in Spain (burro in Italian) and how surprised he is when they give him a donkey instead.
There is another Spaniard I’d definitely like us to get our hands on though. Come on Nico, Arsenal is your destiny.
Init Ebo. My dream Jan signing. But my gut says he’ll sign for Barca in summer 🙁
Delighted if this rumour of Martin Z Is true… Does make sense if TP5 and jorgi are out….
Only if he and his agents are willing to settle for much less money, they’re still in all sorts of debts. I’m more worried one of the richer English clubs will *swoop* for him.
Hence, no Isak.
Like what’s this sh*t about?
Rice Rice Baby!
Arteta only wants quality players
Great news. Also feels a bit like living the age of reverse-Wenger. Endless classy CDMs but not the final missing piece attacker. Not complaining btw.
Yeah well maybe you should be complaining. Prioritizing another defensive midfielder over attacking players and a creative left 8 will not solve our current problems.
This is a brilliant signing and Partey will be gone in the summer as will Jorginho probably. This would be a definite upgrade on both of them, and has nothing to do with our current problems. Would you rather Arsenal faffed about and he went somewhere else in the summer?
Prioritizing? An opportunity arises In an area that needs strengthening and we took it ! I’m sure if a similar opportunity arises with a striker we’d do the same🤷♂️
It doesn’t need strengthening.
Not if two defensive midfielders will be leaving in the summer
Doesn’t sound like it
We weren’t complaing when Wenger signed half kf France meaning we saw Veira, Pires, Henry, Petit & Anelka grace our club
Can they loan him us from tomorrow?
or Yesterday?
Why, can he play center forward?
But can he play at right back?
Yes, but not inverted, so it’s not going to work.
Automatic European champions!
Waaaaaaaa
Some good news when it was needed if true
I’m sure Mikel will see if he can invert to the right wing and striker positions too.
In all seriousness (ha ha) this isn’t the news we wanted right now but when the summer comes we’ll definitely be glad the club got this done. Nice coup and exactly the sort of player we need – a technical deep midfielder to complement Rice. He’s been more of a DM but I think he can probably be the left 8 to Rice’s 6 too.
This will be the other way around. Zubimendi plays as a progressive passer / line breaker from #6 and has basically never played at left 8 (that was Merino!). He’s the replacement for the Thomas Partey of 2 seasons ago who could progress the ball from deep with his eyes closed, and I am so excited.
I think he’s better than Partey ever was technically, there’s that one touch aspect which Partey was never a true master of, he’s more of a receive the ball, turn and then pass sort of player and sometimes that goes too slow to break the press. Mikel is known for converting players’ positions, but even if it’s as you say and Rice stays at left 8 or they take turns at the 6, the part about him complementing Rice with his technicality stays true.
Yeah but what about rice? You know, that 110 mil superstar #6 we bought that we now move around all over the place, and not surprisingly get fck all impact as a result…
Oh versatility! Right…🤦♀️
I disagree. I think it gets us excited about next season – as for many of us (including myself) are looking forward to next season rather than dwelling on this season. I am not expecting silverware this year (CL seems like our best chance now), and even if it is a brief feeling I am now thinking beyond this season!
Lets expect the unexpected! how knows, it’s when all lights are out people suprises you the most!
This haggard old face has weathered too many storms to allow hope back in – not with a nine point gap. Although……
Absolutely THIS. Playing the long game. We had two amazing seasons and didn’t quite make it against peak Man City. We’ve dropped away this season partly in the face of some terrible injuries and refereeing. But somehow we have lost our way a bit too. Get CL qualification and go again next year is my expectation as a fan. The team I’m sure will continue to fight.But it’s madness to pin our hopes on anything with our injury list and form.
I wasn’t even upset when we lost to United and Newcastle (normally I’d have been making life hell for anyone who tried to talk to me). This season has just been weird; city crumbling, Liverpool post Klopp weirdly faultless. Forest pushing for second. And that’s not even taking into account what has happened to us in regards to things out of our control (injuries, refs). Granted the football has not been particularly enjoyable to watch – but if we are winning we don’t dwell on performance as much – and winning has been tough this season (I don’t think we’ve… Read more »
Liverpool away to Forest today away at Brentford Saturday. They pick up a few injuries, we beat Spuds and Villa you never know. It’s a funny old game.
Egads Alan, don’t give me hope!
Alan is all about a heroic late winner!
Chris just gave me Wood, my hair almost straightened.
Hmm makes me think of a night when curly himself (drunk) asked a 16-yo me for advice about how to get laid (for real)
Met him at an petrol station on the A12 in the mid 90s. They say never meet your heroes. The afro was gone and I was looking down at him. Thought he was superman in 1979.
Totally agree. Let’s be there if they f it up.. Season not over yet – it’s only Jan!
I still think the EPL is up for grabs and if we get our eggs aligned with a bit of luck that we seem to desperately need, we have a chance.
You make your own luck, we were a couple of forwards short to begin the season. If we go get Williams and Vlahovic it let’s the whole squad and the rest of the league know we can win it.
This is massive news if true, he essentially has his pick of any club to join at a release clause most people agree is well below his market value. If we’ve convinced him that’s a huge coup for the club. We also have to remember this is really effective squad planning and is a totally separate consideration to our need for attacking reinforcements this window.
Sadly, I suspect this window will go out the window. Still, you never know.
And what if this is the only big deal that’s done in the summer? Will you still be happy?
And what if it isn’t? I’m sure you’ll be just as miserable and negative.
Sorry for the pragmatism…erm…negativity. I know it’s all happy clappy with some…
Absolutely brilliant. He is comfortably the best option on the market for a #6, as evidenced by the fact that both City and Liverpool have wanted him. He came on for Rodri in the euros final and Spain didn’t miss a beat. Very interesting that Rice will therefore be a long-term left 8 – not the position we spent £100m to play him in!
Could move to a double volante and then have 3 behind a forward.
Yes. And an other option I think:
Arteta do not think either that Havertz is a natural no.9…
so/but he still counts on him as a “left 8”. (see our set-up against Ipswitch)
So between summer ’23 and summer ’25, we’ll have spent 150M pounds on 2 sixes? I dunno man…Rice as a long term 8 doesn’t appeal very much.
I get everyones frustration that we’re not splashing out for the big gun up front – but I think this is the method – make the squad as solid and hard to beat as possible. There was real risk of our club languishing in the upper mid table spots year on year until we started executing Mikels “5 year plan”. It needs to happen for us up top – but even that won’t get us what we want without the type of engine room that can compete with an ever stronger league and the typical european elite. There is a… Read more »
Oh ffs…didn’t watch any of the last 3 games…we need a fkn world class striker NOW. Not another 6 to replace the biggest club signing ever relegating him to a bit part in the team.
Don’t know much about Zubimendi, is he a pure 6? Is there an engine on him? Wonder if he could play alongside Odegaard as our long lost mythical 8. Would be bad news for Merino if so.
He’s more of a disruptor and a platform than a runner or creator. With the proper coaching he could be more jorginho than odegaard, but he’s not going to be an 8 or a 10- he’s a 6 that sits or operates in a double pivot.
Rice is also alternative 6. I’m sure Zubi won’t play every game and versatility is part of why we paid 100m.
True if big
And vice versa
Much like my claims about my penis size. Which weren’t true.
Awesome signing! And so important to get it done early
Can’t think of a better signing for that role, and it is 100% necessary with Partey and Jorginho unlikely to be retained next season
Of course we still need a starting quality CF and LW, but if we went into next summer needing a 6 as well that would be too much work to realistically get done
Very excited about this. Though secretly I hope one of the two veterans stays for the Elneny role.
I’m delighted with the player and his profile in general but I can’t help but feel this is all a bit JAM TOMORROW, when all and sundry just want a little fix today.
But my wife you see, she is very insistent about the january transfers- so please arsenal, the january transfers.
You have 17 days. And, to show we’re serious, you have 5 days.
Good. We need to reinforce that position given Partey and Jorginho are likely leaving. Now please do the same for the forward line starting this week.
I expect jorginho will extend a season to complete his coaching badges, and save us a bit on transfers- the midfield is almost a complete turnover again due to lack of sufficient signings over the last four windows (some are aging out of the side, some simply aren’t good enough, and some are young so will be inconsistent).
Tchoumeni is the one we should be going for
No
Conveniently timed leak…
People are saying we are Netflix FC – wait for another season
Arsenal board: Ok, lets leak a rumor for a transfer next season as a smokescreen for this season’s atrocious performance
Please stop it for god sake.
We have been a little underwhelming not in any small part due to injuries. We have been far from atrocious, we are 2nd in the league and 3rd in Europe ffs.
We have 2 #6s ageing and “contracting” out so we convince one of the best prime-age #6s in the world who Liverpool and 115 have been trying to get to come to us and you call that a smokescreen? Seriously?
And we have literally fck all up front. How about we deal with that first?
Zubimendi would all but confirm Rice as the left 8, and tbf he’s been by far our most convincing option in that position even if he’s arguably better as a 6. If we also bring in a central striker, it would be hard to see where Havertz fits in the starting 11.
And we come full circle… I have no idea why people are so obsessed with this idea of a ‘starting 11’ – injuries have shown us that the squad players have to be viable options (which Havertz certainly is) and competition in the squad leads to quality performances on the pitch.
THANK YOU.
I never understood the notion of First 11. We need a squad of capable players, yes some might be better but we need quality across the squad! that’s what big teams do.
Okay sure but… realistically every team will have some players that are guaranteed starters i.e. in the “starting 11”. More to the point, if we only bring in a striker but they don’t start ahead of Havertz or are even competitive with Havertz instead of being a guaranteed starter, then arguably we wouldn’t have solved our biggest and most obvious issue. I don’t think most fans are looking for a “viable squad option” in attack, we need someone that will make the position their own. The only caveat to this is that we might look to bring in such a… Read more »
Havertz can play as a ten and has previously to great effect.
So he is more like Partey and Jorgi? Well if they are leaving, this would be a great signing, but like I said last season, we need a creative attacking midfielder who can cover for Odegard if he gets injured again. We need to have this plan B in place, otherwise we will be in the same boat.
I think the plan has to be that that’s Ethan (I’m mindful of the injury…)
“You see, Señor K, we cannot just move the club to San Sebastiàn and get rid of Real Sociedad.”
“Uh-huh, yeah, can’t do that. Whaddaya propose?”
“Señor, we must *become* Real Sociedad.”
“Son, I like yer style. Do it! Bye!”..
.. “Yo, Josh! What was all that stuff about becoming a real sociopath?”
“Just soccer talk for bein’ awesome, bro.”
“Yeah, ‘s what I thought. “
This is espressino, not espresso. A part of milk as well, Nutella on the wall of the cup. Remember espressino.
i don’t know, we already got rice in that position, in which i believe he’s one of the best in the world. do we need cover once partey and jorginho leave? yeah for sure. but it’s not our priority and 50m for something other than a priority sounds expensive
It’s 50mil in the summer. Should we not try to upgrade the ageing midfield? This does not prevent us doing other business. That has to be judged on it’s own.
Totally irrelevant comment incoming:
Two facts I just learned today about Tomiyasu
• He came on for 6 mins this season against Southampton in a 3-1 win
• He has 16 premier league starts for Arsenal since signing in 2021 for £17m.
I just couldn’t get my head around this and had to share..
Yeah, Ben White is pretty good. And this season has shown you can’t have too many right backs. 😁
Yeah, never considered the White factor to be honest. Still though, 16 starts in 4 years is absolutely appalling. I know the injuries aren’t his fault but we have to replace him if possible.
For context. Abou Diaby averaged 14 premier league starts per year between 2005/06 and 2012/13. Tomi is currently averaging 4. This really blew my mind, I knew Tomi was never available but I didn’t realise to this extent. I feel sorry for him as a player.
Great news if true! I know it must be high if it’s on Arseblog news, but what tier would Sami Mokbel be considered in terms of reliablility?
Fabrizio said it too.
This would be sensational if true.
I don’t get it. This guy is a #6. We don’t need another 6. Once TP and Jorghino leave we move Rice back to #6, his best position, with Merino as cover. Then hopefully bring in a creative left 8 in the odegaard mould. Brining in zubimendi means condemning Rice to the left 8 position which fkn sucks for him and us. Am I wrong?
totally wrong
Why?
Yes you are. He’s one of the best midfielders in Europe and will be playing for a huge club next year (Arsenal or someone else). This is a coup. The more world class players the better.
Rice as a CM who dominates the left side sounds pretty good to me.
Just three more LBs, two more CDMs, and three under 21 GKs to go!!
This is turning out to be an amazing transfer window!!
will Teta still be here?
Lampardian 🙂
I’d like to celebrate this as I think he’s an incredible #6 and a 3-man midfield of him, Rice and Odegaard is potentially epic…but…how does this work if we don’t trigger the release clause until July? Are we getting him to sign a pre-contract agreement? What stops him chasing his mind as it appeared he did to Liverpool this summer?
But first two LB please!
I bet you that Zubimendi scores at least 30 Premier League goals next season.
That’s going to be really helpful this season.
If this is true, it makes the Merino signing seem quite odd to me.
Rice Zubi midfield hold me 🥹