Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of highly-rated Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a deal worth £51 million. This marks their second major addition of the 2025 summer transfer window as the club continues to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
The 26-year-old Spanish international has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2030. He will wear the No. 36 shirt, and fans are already eagerly anticipating his debut. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been a long-time admirer of Zubimendi and has been pushing for his signature as part of his strategic rebuild of the midfield.
Zubimendi is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent and technically sound defensive midfielders in Europe. Known for his exceptional positioning, precise passing, and composure under pressure, he is seen as the ideal replacement to fill the gap left by the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, both of whom exited North London this summer.
In his first interview as an Arsenal player, Zubimendi described joining the Gunners as a "huge moment" in his professional journey. “I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me,” he said. “Andrea [Berta] and Mikel [Arteta] took excellent care of me during the discussions, leaving me with no doubts whatsoever. The vision they presented was inspiring, and I believe I can develop even further here.”
The midfielder will immediately link up with his new teammates at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, designed to build team chemistry and match sharpness before they head out for pre-season tours in Singapore and Hong Kong later this month. The early integration into the squad is seen as crucial by the coaching staff as they prepare for a competitive 2025/26 Premier League season and Champions League campaign.
Internally, Zubimendi has been labeled a ‘Tier One’ signing, reflecting his status as a key target and an investment in the club's long-term ambitions. Sources close to the club revealed that the player excelled in all key recruitment criteria, including tactical intelligence, high pass completion rates, leadership qualities, and a strong fitness record with minimal injury history.
Arteta is expected to deploy Zubimendi as the anchor in a dynamic midfield trio, playing alongside England star Declan Rice and Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard. This new-look midfield is anticipated to provide a perfect blend of defensive solidity, creative vision, and forward thrust, which Arsenal believe will help them compete for major silverware next season.
Prior to this transfer, Arsenal had already secured the services of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million, adding further depth and competition to the squad’s goalkeeping department. The arrival of Zubimendi now signals Arsenal’s serious intent to return to the top of English and European football, with fans hopeful of a title-winning campaign.
As Arsenal continue to work on additional signings, the excitement among supporters is building rapidly, with many praising the club’s decisive moves in the market and the clear long-term vision laid out by Arteta and the board.