How Arsenal could line up with Martin Zubimendi to take midfield to new level | OneFootball

Signing the ‘Gen-Z Sergio Busquets’ this summer would give Mikel Arteta plenty of intriguing options

Arsenal are working to finalise the signing Martin Zubimendi and the incoming £51million star has the talent to take their midfield to a new level.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in Zubimendi, but Arsenal are now reportedly close wrapping up a deal by booking a medical for the midfielder.

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at how Arsenal could line up with Zubimendi next season…

Martin Zubimendi could give Declan Rice more freedom

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Play Zubimendi as a No6

This feels like the most likely scenario and would see Zubimendi slot in at the base of Arsenal’s midfield.

Partey has predominantly played that role this season, although Jorginho has also been given minutes there.

Both players are over 30 and at least one of them is leaving this summer, so the Gunners need to refresh their midfield.

Declan Rice has spent much of his career playing as a No6, however the arrival of Zubimendi would allow him to continue in his advanced role.

The England international has impressed as a No8 for Arsenal, adding goals and assists to his game since moving there around a year ago.

Zubimendi could be deployed behind Rice and fellow No8 Martin Odegaard, breaking up play and starting attacks from deep.

Such a setup would allow Arsenal to stick with their traditional 4-3-3 system that has served them well over the past few seasons.

Possible lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Double pivot with Rice

Arteta has shown over the years how he is not afraid to evolve or tweak his teams when it comes to formations.

When the Spaniard was first appointed back in 2019, the Gunners won the FA Cup in his first season using a direct style with a back three in defence.

Arsenal progressed into a 4-2-3-1 formation after that and, more recently, they have spent the past few seasons in a 4-3-3.

The arrival of Zubimendi, alongside that of Rice, would allow Arteta’s side to shift back to a 4-2-3-1 setup, if they wished.

Zubimendi can play as a lone No6, however he would also be able to operate alongside Rice in a pair.

Options: Real Madrid have also been linked with Zubimendi, who previously snubbed Liverpool

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The duo could form an effective partnership by combining Rice’s physical prowess with Zubimendi’s ability on the ball.

It would leave Odegaard to play as a No10 in a central role, which may allow the Norwegian more freedom to create.

Possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Havertz