‘I’ve noticed the greatness of this club’ – Zubimendi opens up on long awaited Arsenal move ahead of possible debut | OneFootball

Martin Zubimendi says he has been further convinced that Arsenal was the right move for him, following his start to life at his new club.

His arrival was the result of a quietly executed, two-year transfer plan that also delivered Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

The Gunners agreed a rare dual arrangement with the Spanish club last summer. They triggered Merino’s release clause in 2024 and Zubimendi’s one year later.

The clever structure helped spread Arsenal’s financial outlay, allowed Thomas Partey’s contract to run its course, and gave Sociedad time to replace two of their most influential players. Zubimendi, meanwhile, remained to captain his boyhood side for one final season.

“It was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club,” said Mikel Arteta, speaking at the start of Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Singapore. “To understand a way how we could get what we wanted in two different years at the same time. And both players were very keen to come, which is very necessary.

“We’ve done what we wanted, I think the players did what they wanted, and I think Real Sociedad at the end were happy as well. I think it’s a very positive outcome for all parties.”

The move for Zubimendi was kept under wraps despite late attempts by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to hijack the deal. The midfielder had already turned down Liverpool the summer before.

“There’s always a moment I’m not involved, and probably they don’t tell me when it gets really, really difficult,” said Arteta. “But especially when you feel that we are convinced, and then we get that from the players too. If the agent is giving you the same impression, you are more likely to get the deal over the line. When one of those three parts are a bit off, things can get complicated. In this case, I was always very, very positive.”

Zubimendi, speaking alongside Merino at the launch of Arsenal and adidas’s new away kit at the NOVA Rooftop in Singapore, reiterated that he always wanted to move to the Gunners despite interest from elsewhere.

“I always wanted to respect Real Sociedad,” he said. “But once Arsenal convinced me, I knew it was the right project. Signing for Arsenal is a big change for me. Since the first day I’ve been here I’ve noticed the greatness of this club and I’m adapting.

“I don’t know what Mikel Arteta saw in me, but what I saw in him is that he’s a top coach in Europe. When I wanted to leave Real, I wanted a quality coach, and I think I’ve found one. I’ve seen how meticulous and detailed he is with his game, so I think I’ve found the right one.”

Now primed to replace Partey as Arsenal’s midfield anchor, Zubimendi is clear-eyed about the task ahead and being the man to help stop Arsenal from being nearly men.

“Hopefully [I am],” he said. “Football is all about the details. I followed them in the Champions League last season, and Arsenal were the only team that really stood up to PSG, and they just missed the details.”

Sitting alongside his club and country team-mate as he addresses the English media for the first time is the reassuring presence of Merino. The Spanish midfielder, who made a major impact deputising as a striker in his debut season, will now help guide Zubimendi to settle in.

“I don’t have any advice to give him because he’s an amazing player,” said Merino. “The only thing I would say is to be patient when things are not going your way, because sometimes you need time to adapt.

“I think outside the pitch is a big step as well. You change countries, you change cultures. The rhythm of life is very different in our old city than here in London, in a massive city. I think we’re going to be living pretty close to one another, not in the same house, but I’ll try to be helpful.”

Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were speaking at adidas’s launch of Arsenal’s 2025/26 away shirt. To buy, visit: adidas.com/arsenal