Arsenal midfielder hailed as 'second best in world' behind Premier League star | OneFootball

Summer signing has been key to Gunners’ title charge

Zubimendi has made an instant impact in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium, playing in all 31 games so far in the Premier League.

The former Real Sociedad man has helped Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the league table, where they sit nine points clear of Rodri’s City.

Speaking to TVE, Spain boss De La Fuente said that with both men being “the two best players in the world”, there is no doubt that they can play together in the Spaniards’ engine room.

“After all the setbacks he went through, Rodri is back at a high level,” De la Fuente said.

“I’ve said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions [when he was injured] that we are very fortunate.

“After all, in that position, the number 6 role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodri and Martin [Zubimendi].

“Of course they can play together. We can play that way [with a double pivot] perfectly well. In my idea of football, they [Rodri and Zubimendi] may occupy a similar role, but they are different players with different characteristics.

“In fact, Martin is getting into the box more now and scoring goals, but he also has the qualities of a positional player, with balance and outstanding tactical awareness.

“Rodri has those same qualities too, so having them there gives us security, that kind of structure.”