The European elite had registered their interest. Real Madrid tried to dive into. But Martin Zubimendi would always be an Arsenal player.
The 26-year-old Midfield Maestro has written a five-year contract with the North London club for £ 51 million after a kind of struggle to grab him.
Liverpool tried to lure the Spaniard away from Real Sociedad last summer after he had indicated the interest of a movement.
Manchester City was also on the market for Zubimendi to fill in for the then injured Rodri. And more recently, Real Madrid strengthened their propaganda machine in June to seduce him from North Londs.
Yet it has now happened that Arsenal had approached Real Sociedad about both Mikel Merino and Zubimendi last summer. The Spanish side could not afford to lose both players at the same time, so the Gunners then offered a solution to buy Merino and return the next summer for Zubimendi.
The transfer was agreed and sealed in March. These factors make the Gunners' a real coup for the midfielder. Mail Sport revealed in January that Arsenal had agreed almost a £ 51 million deal for Zubimendi, but Real Sociedad refused to sell until after the season.
Today's official announcement puts an end to a long-winded Saga and gives Arsenal supporters something to become enthusiastic about seeing competition rivals Liverpool and Man City has already been more than £ 200 million and £ 100 million in this window.
The midfield of Gunners was already strong, but will now be re -defined next season as one of the most envied in the competition – and form the basis of their latest title challenge.
Zubimendi was born and bred in San Sebastian, Spain, the same area as his boss Mikel Arteta. They both played for Real Sociedad – and even started at the same youth club, Antiguoko. The link always helped and formed both an immediate and a strong connection.
He will also reunite with former real Sociedad teammates Martin Odegaard and Merino. Van Merino would have put a good word about his old partner.
So, why was Arsenal always so enthusiastic about Zubimendi? To begin with, he is both the answer to their No. 6 Conundrum and Rodri van Man City.
It is an area that Arteta often has difficulty pinning well since the departure of Granit Xhaka in July 2023. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz arrived in that summer, with both expected to compete for a place in a midfield three next to Odegard.
Rice played in the No 6 role for West Ham, but has had a more advanced role in midfield, especially last season, where he performed with goals in crunch matches such as his free tracembrace in the quarterfinals of the Champions League quarter against Real Madrid.
In the meantime, Havertz struggled to shine in midfield and was quickly brought to the middle where he flourished, so that Thomas Partey often occupies the base of midfield.
Because Pedey has left the club, Zubimendi will now play this role – but in a different way. His admission will demonstrably give rice even more freedom to roam ahead and both impact and connect playing in the last third part, which is an intriguing prospect.
But compared to Partey and Jorginho, he has better mobility, he is more press -resistant and just as sharp in tackling. Arsenal struggled last season to break down defenses that were regularly camped in their own half, banking on breaking against counterattacks.
Nevertheless, Zubimendi has the opportunity to receive the ball, while under intense pressure from opposition players he holds among intensive players and holds them confidently, and quickly fits between teammates.
In La Liga last season he was in the top five of central midfielders for successful passes, successful long steps, progressive steps, touches, tackles, interceptions, won air duels and distance from completed Upfield -passes. In essence, he is in an excellent position to become Arsenal's version of Rodri.
Real Sociedad generally plays from the back through short, risky steps, with Zubimendi often the recipient who picks up the ball while confronted with his own goal. He was and will probably remain the gear between the defense and midfield as the deepest player of a midfield three.
When Liverpool came to call, Zubimendi, a sharp mountaineer, was shown to see photos of Mount Urgull, one of the many tops he likes to walk in the area.
That waspse ability to pass, pass and pass a man who is said to become modest and hardworking. He grew up in San Sebastian, a charming coastal city between the mountains of Urgull and Igeldo, which from the age of 12 was awarded by the real Sociedad Reserve teams.
He sparkled against players three or four years older than himself, before he became an integral first team starter, who played more minutes than any other outfield player for the La Liga side in the past three seasons.
His real moment of shine for a more global audience was demonstrable when he stood up for an injured Rodri during the rest of the last victory of the Euro 2024 of Spain in England in Germany.
The midfielder got stuck in challenges and fits through the lines to bring Spain to their 2-1 win. Crucial is that there was no drop -off in the light of Rodri's departure, only pure quality.
The arrival of Zubimendi is perhaps just the signing that Reignites Arsenal's Premier League title again – and let both Liverpool and Man City beat their missed chance.
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