There’s something special about a player who doesn’t chase the biggest lights or the flashiest headlines. Martin Zubimendi could’ve had all that.
Real Madrid were circling, they were interested. Xabi Alonso was there. The opportunity to join one of the world’s biggest clubs was real. And yet, he chose Arsenal.
Not everyone expected it. Not with Madrid’s name on the table. But to Zubimendi, the choice was simple it was never about the name, it was about the fit.
“I set my sights on Arsenal,” he said, calmly, during his first proper sit-down since the move. “The moment I decided to leave Sociedad, I knew what I wanted. Arsenal’s way of playing, the way the team carries itself, the energy it fits me.”
That word “fits” sums it all up. Zubimendi has never been about grabbing headlines or being the loudest guy on the pitch. He just wants to play smart football, somewhere that makes sense for him. And honestly, right now, Arsenal feels like the right place.
From San Sebastián to London – A Calm but Bold Step
Zubimendi had been with Real Sociedad for his entire professional career. He came through their academy. He’s from San Sebastián born and raised.
Everything about his football started there. “It’s where everything started for me,” Zubimendi said. “No matter where I go, that place stays with me.” So it wasn’t easy to leave.
Last summer, he came close. Liverpool wanted him. Negotiations had started. But in the end, he backed away. “I was honest with myself,” he explained. “It would’ve been a selfish decision to leave then. I wasn’t ready. I needed more time in the place that shaped me.”
He didn’t say that with regret just honesty. And now, a year later, the timing feels different.
“I felt it was time,” he said. “Sociedad gave me everything. But I’ve grown as much as I could there. I needed a new challenge. I wanted something that would push me.”
That push came from North London.
Arteta’s Influence – Familiar Roots, Shared Vision
It’s hard to ignore how much of a role Mikel Arteta played in this move. He’s not just another manager to Zubimendi they share roots.
“We come from the same part of Spain,” Zubimendi said. “Same region. Same culture. We even played for the same youth clubs. I don’t know him personally from back then, but I know the path. I know what kind of football he believes in.”
It’s that shared footballing language that made Arsenal feel less foreign. Despite being across the continent, the style was familiar. And Arteta’s clarity in conversation made the difference.
“He made me feel seen,” Zubimendi said. “He didn’t just talk about tactics. He talked about how I think, how I feel the game. I knew then that this wasn’t just a move. It was the right move.”
It wasn’t just Arteta who convinced Zubimendi. Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, played a big part tooI didn’t feel like I was just another transfer target,” Zubimendi said.
“They talked to me properly, like someone they’d been watching for a long time. It wasn’t some sales pitch.” “They kept it honest. That meant more than big promises.” They were direct. They made it clear what they see in me. There were no games,” he said.
The Real Madrid Factor – Tempting, but Not Right
Now, of course, Real Madrid were interested too. They’ve been monitoring Zubimendi for a while, especially now with Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modrić expected to play a reduced role.
The appointment of Xabi Alonso at Madrid this summer added another layer. Zubimendi and Alonso go way back Alonso coached him briefly with Sociedad B, and Zubimendi has openly spoken about how much he respects him.
But even with that connection, it wasn’t enough.
“Xabi’s an idol. There’s no doubt about that,” Zubimendi said. “But this decision wasn’t about people or names. It was about the team. About football. I didn’t feel like I would be the right fit at Madrid not now.”
Zubimendi knows how ruthless life at Madrid can be. There’s pressure from the first whistle, and not every player gets the chance to settle in.
“I didn’t want to be another name on the bench. I wanted to be where I could grow. Arsenal gave me that.”
What Arsenal Are Getting – A Quiet Leader
People who’ve watched him for years don’t hype him up for skills or tricks they’ll just tell you, “He’s sharp. Always in the right place.”
Zubimendi is not flashy, and he’s definitely not the kind to fly into wild challenges. But he reads the game better than most. Quiet, smart, and always thinking ahead.
But he reads the game like few can. He’s calm, composed, and sharp. Always one step ahead.
He’s also a leader not in the shouting, arm-waving sense, but with how he plays. He leads with clarity. That’s where Arsenal have been a bit light recently right in midfield.
Partey’s probably on his way out, and Jorginho’s clearly not built for a full season anymore.
Zubimendi gives them something fresh younger legs, sure, but also someone who plays with his head up. You can tell he gets the game. He won’t just fill a role he’ll make it his own.
And that’s what fans are starting to understand.
“He’s not here to be a squad player,” said former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla, speaking on Spanish radio. “He’ll become central to how Arsenal play. Mark my words.”
Familiar Faces, Easier Transition
Zubimendi won’t be stepping into a completely foreign dressing room. He already knows a few of the boys.
Martin Ødegaard was once his teammate at Sociedad. The two shared a strong understanding on the pitch, and Zubimendi speaks highly of him.
“MØ’s someone I’ve always admired,” he said. “He works hard, and he leads without showing off. “Me and Martin clicked straight away at Sociedad,” he said. “It wasn’t forced. We just understood each other’s game. I’m hoping we’ll pick that back up here without much fuss.”
He also mentioned that having Mikel Merino and David Raya around will help settle him in. “It’s a new place, but familiar faces make it easier. I won’t feel like I’m starting from scratch.”
“When you move countries, it helps to see some familiar faces,” he said. “They’ll help me settle, no doubt.”
£60 Million Gamble? Or a Long-Term Pillar?
The reported £60 million fee raised a few eyebrows. That’s not a small fee, especially for someone who hasn’t played outside Spain. But Arsenal believe it’s money well spent.
“You don’t just buy talent you invest in character,” said a source close to the club. “Zubimendi brings both. He’s been scouted for over a year, and Arteta’s been clear from day one that he wanted him.”
It’s not a gamble in their eyes. It’s a long-term decision. One that they believe will define the midfield for years to come.
And Zubimendi? He’s not focused on the price tag. “I don’t think about money. I think about football,” he said. “What matters to me is showing on the pitch that I belong here.”
What Comes Next
Zubimendi joins an Arsenal squad that isn’t far from being title winners. Last season, they pushed Manchester City all the way. This season, the expectations are even higher.
He knows that. And he welcomes it.
“I’m not afraid of pressure,” he said. “Pressure is part of football. I want to play where expectations are high. That means you’re doing something right.”
He’ll likely start in pre-season matches right away, as Arteta wants him integrated early.
Arsenal are set to face Bayern Munich and Inter Milan during their US tour later this month a perfect opportunity for fans to get a proper look at their new number six.
A Footballer’s Move, Not a Brand Decision
In a football world where players often follow the biggest paycheck or the most glamorous club, Zubimendi’s choice stands out.
He didn’t pick Arsenal for fame. He didn’t pick Arsenal to sell shirts. He picked them because the football made sense.
It’s rare. But it’s refreshing.
Arsenal fans will appreciate that. Zubimendi didn’t chase hype he made a call that made football sense. That’s the kind of player you want in your team.
Does Zubimendi feel like the right fit to you? Drop your thoughts. curious how other fans are seeing this one, Let us know in the comments section.