Scouting Report: Martín Zubimendi – The Midfield Technician Arsenal Covet
As Arsenal continues its rebuild under Mikel Arteta, the club is looking to reinforce its midfield ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window. One name that has consistently been linked with a move to the Emirates is Martín Zubimendi, the highly regarded Spanish midfielder currently playing for Real Sociedad. The Gunners are reportedly ready to trigger his €60 million release clause, and speculation suggests that the deal is close to completion.
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Zubimendi has been a rising star in La Liga, earning comparisons to Sergio Busquets and Rodri for his intelligence, press resistance, and ability to dictate the tempo of a game. With Jorginho and Thomas Partey likely to depart, Arsenal’s midfield needs fresh legs, and Zubimendi could be the perfect addition to complement Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.
This article delves into Zubimendi’s background, playing style, strengths, weaknesses, and potential impact at Arsenal, analyzing whether he is the missing piece in Arteta’s evolving tactical blueprint.
Background and Career Path
Early Years and Development at Real Sociedad
Born in San Sebastián, Spain, on February 2, 1999, Martín Zubimendi was raised in a footballing environment deeply connected to Real Sociedad. He joined Zubieta, the club’s renowned youth academy, in 2011 and steadily worked his way through the ranks, developing into a tactically astute midfielder.
His La Liga debut came in April 2019, shortly after turning 20, and by the 2020/21 season, he had cemented himself as a key figure in Sociedad’s midfield. His rapid development coincided with the club’s Copa del Rey triumph in 2021, their first major trophy in over three decades. Over the past four seasons, he has been instrumental in Sociedad’s rise as a competitive force in Spanish football, including their Champions League qualification in 2023.
International Recognition
Zubimendi’s ability to control games from deep and maintain possession under pressure earned him a call-up to Spain’s senior national team in 2021. While Rodri remains the first-choice defensive midfielder, Zubimendi’s importance grew during Euro 2024, where he played a vital role in Spain’s final victory over England, replacing Rodri at halftime and helping to stabilize the midfield.
His performances at the international level have further cemented his status as one of Europe’s most promising deep-lying midfielders.
Playing Style and Strengths
Tactical Role and Positional Awareness
Zubimendi operates primarily as a defensive midfielder, excelling in a deep-lying playmaker role. Unlike traditional defensive midfielders who rely on sheer physicality, he is a highly intelligent player who dictates the tempo through precise passing and positional awareness. His role at Real Sociedad sees him anchoring the midfield, shielding the defense, and providing the first passing outlet in build-up play.
He thrives in possession-based systems, making him a natural fit for Arteta’s philosophy at Arsenal. His style is reminiscent of Sergio Busquets, though he is more dynamic in transitions, similar to Rodri at Manchester City.
Key Strengths
One of Zubimendi’s greatest attributes is his press resistance. When under pressure, he rarely panics and can navigate tight spaces with a quick turn or a simple one-touch pass. His ability to receive the ball facing his own goal and turn away from danger makes him an invaluable asset for teams that like to play out from the back.
His passing range is another key strength. While he does not possess the long-range passing of Xabi Alonso, he is excellent at breaking defensive lines with sharp, progressive passes into midfield. At Real Sociedad, he frequently drops deep to receive passes from center-backs Robin Le Normand and Igor Zubeldia, before moving the ball forward efficiently.
Defensively, he relies more on positioning and anticipation rather than brute force. His tackling numbers are not among the highest in La Liga, but he excels in interceptions and recoveries, nipping in front of attackers to regain possession before launching quick counter-attacks.
In aerial duels, he has proven to be surprisingly effective. Despite standing at 5’11” (1.81m), he wins a high percentage of his aerial battles, particularly in the Champions League, where he has demonstrated his ability to compete physically against stronger opponents.
Performance Analysis and Key Statistics (2023/24 Season)
Zubimendi’s statistical output reflects his role as a deep-lying metronome rather than an all-action midfielder. His primary contributions come in ball retention, distribution, and defensive positioning.
Defensive Metrics (Per 90 Minutes in La Liga)
- Interceptions: 1.37
- Blocks: 1.37
- Aerial Duels Won: 1.7
- Tackles: 2.17
Possession and Passing
- Passing Accuracy: 85.6%
- Progressive Passes: 6.09
- Key Passes: 1.73
Attacking Contributions
- Goals: 1
- Expected Assists (xA): 0.15
Zubimendi does not contribute heavily in the final third, but his role is to ensure smooth transitions from defense to attack, rather than create direct goal-scoring opportunities.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
While Zubimendi is an elite passer and positional defender, he does have some notable weaknesses that could be exposed in the Premier League’s high-intensity environment.
One of his main limitations is his lack of final third influence. While his progressive passing is strong, he rarely provides direct assists or goal contributions, meaning Arsenal’s more creative midfielders would still need to take on the burden of unlocking defenses.
Physically, he is not the most imposing player, which could be an issue against Premier League teams that play a high-energy pressing game. While he compensates with positioning and awareness, he is not as physically dominant as Declan Rice or City’s Rodri.
Additionally, his long passing accuracy is inconsistent. While he can execute brilliant diagonal switches of play, he sometimes overhits or misplaces longer passes, which could limit Arsenal’s ability to transition quickly.
How Would Zubimendi Fit at Arsenal?
Potential Role in Arsenal’s Midfield
If signed, Zubimendi would immediately take over the No.6 role, allowing Declan Rice to move into a more advanced position. Arsenal has look strongest with Rice as a roaming box-to-box midfielder, and Zubimendi’s ability to dictate play from deep would provide more balance and structure to the midfield.
In a 4-3-3 formation, he would be the natural anchor, sitting behind Rice and Ødegaard. This system would allow Arsenal to control games with sustained possession, dominate weaker opponents, and withstand pressing teams.
Alternatively, Arteta could opt for a 4-2-3-1 system, pairing Zubimendi with Rice in a double pivot, giving Ødegaard complete freedom as a creative No.10. This setup would offer greater defensive stability in high-intensity matches against elite opposition.
Final Thoughts: Is Zubimendi the Right Signing?
Arsenal’s pursuit of Martín Zubimendi reflects Arteta’s long-term vision for a technically sound, press-resistant midfield. With Jorginho and Partey aging out of the squad, Zubimendi’s arrival would ensure tactical continuity and stability for years to come.
While he won’t directly solve Arsenal’s goal-scoring issues, he will provide control, intelligence, and defensive assurance, which could be just as valuable in a title race. If Arsenal can complement this move with a top-class striker signing, they could be in a strong position to challenge both Liverpool and Manchester City next season.
With the €60 million release clause ready to be triggered, the question is no longer whether Zubimendi fits Arsenal’s system—it’s whether the club can finalize the deal before another European giant swoops in.
