From San Sebastian to the Emirates: Zubimendi’s Bold Arsenal Move and a Fresh Premier League Lesson

From Comfort Zone to a New Challenge

Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi has joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad this summer on a contract running to 2030, marking a new chapter in the Premier League.

In discussions with The Guardian, Zubimendi explained that leaving Real Sociedad last season would not have been ideal for him; he chose to stay through a tough season, learned a lot, and now he is stepping forward with a clear plan.

He said he wanted to take a step forward and shoulder the responsibilities after others left, always aiming to pick the right moment for growth, and he is pleased with how things have turned out.

He noted that staying in his comfort zone would have been easy, but leaving that environment to experience a different culture and a different kind of football was crucial for personal development. The more he distance himself from that old backdrop, the more he grows, and he believes there is a lot to learn in the Premier League that he can master.

Arsenal convinced him that he could contribute meaningfully, and he was signed because of their belief in his abilities. At 26, he possesses a blend of intelligence, technical skill, and physical power, complemented by a strong personality that the club values in midfield.

Adapting to the Premier League and the Arsenal Connection

Asked about the gap between La Liga and the Premier League, Zubimendi explained that in Spain the emphasis is on ball retention after winning possession, whereas in England the game often moves directly toward attack. Set pieces are a constant in the Premier League and can decisively alter matches, a factor that excites him as a learning area.

He added that he has Euro 2024 success with Spain and helped Real Sociedad win the Copa del Rey, experiencing both domestic and continental stages. As a 26 year old with extensive technical gifts and a strong midfield presence, he is eager to contribute to Arsenal’s ambitions and to grow further under the daily demands of top flight football.

Former Real Sociedad coach Roberto Montiel, who worked closely with Arteta while assisting Xabi Alonso in the academy, described Zubimendi as a complete midfielder who fits the club’s principles. He highlighted his ability with both feet, quick decision making, and consistent positioning, drawing a line of comparison to Xabi Alonso in his footballing intuition.

Montiel explained that the Antea youth program, Antiguoko, has a shared pedigree with Arsenal, helping smooth the negotiation process. He noted that Martin has always been seen as a player with a calm demeanor and a strong competitive edge—qualities that Arteta believes will allow him to reach a higher level in the Premier League.

He added that Zubimendi’s physical development and technical maturity have matured over time, and that the player’s evolution mirrors the club’s own trajectory. The path from Antiguoko to Real Sociedad B and onward to Arsenal is a story of deliberate growth and an alignment of footballing philosophies with Arteta’s vision for the squad.

“Martin is closer to Xabi Alonso in style than to Arteta in youth and development,” Montiel said, underscoring the passing game and intelligent ball management that characterize Zubimendi’s play. Like Xabi, he has historically excelled at orchestrating moves and controlling the tempo, even as he remains a little introverted off the ball. Arteta’s confidence in his progression suggests a bright future in north London.

Montiel also recalled how Zubimendi’s arrival is part of Arsenal’s broader strategy to blend established talent with emerging stars, and he expects the midfielder to adapt to the Premier League’s pace while integrating a similar footballing identity to that of his boyhood club in the Basque Country. The mentorship lineage from Antiguoko to Real Sociedad to Arsenal is a talking point among analysts who see a thoughtful, long-term plan behind his transfer.

Technical note: As Zubimendi continues his adaptation, the club’s coaching staff are keen on sharpening his last-pass and decision-making under pressure, while leveraging his capacity to break lines with well-timed forward passes. The expectation is not merely to fit in but to raise the level of Arsenal’s midfield dynamics and overall rhythm.

It remains to be seen how quickly he will adapt to the Premier League’s intensity, but the signs point to a thoughtful, high-precision operator who can complement Arsenal’s forward drive while learning to flourish in more physical duels.

Punchline 1: If precision passes were a weapon, Zubimendi would field a private arsenal—one through-ball at a time. Punchline 2: If patience is a virtue, he just earned a PhD in it, and he plans to defend the last pass like a sniper aims at the target—calm, focused, and always on mark.