'They like what I do' - Martin Zubimendi claims Mikel Arteta pushed to sign him as part of Arsenal's huge push to finally claim Premier League title

Born in San Sebastian, Zubimendi joined the Real Sociedad youth setup in 2011, making his senior debut for the Spanish side in 2019 where he became a key player for the club, making over 200 appearances and winning the Copa del Rey in 2020. He was also part of the Sociedad team that finished fourth in La Liga in the 2022-23 season, securing Champions League football. Zubimendi signed with Arsenal for £56m ($75m) deal in the summer, made his debut for the Gunners against Manchester United and bagged his first goals with a brace against Nottingham Forest. He was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award in September, and now he’s been tasked with running the engine of Arsenal’s title challenge. 

Speaking to The Guardian, Zubimendi lifted the lid on the unique challenges faced in the Premier League and touched on the qualities Arteta identified in him. He said: "The mentality is: be a man. Go into clashes hard. It’s more direct. In Spain when you get the ball, it’s more about keeping it; (in England), whenever you win it, it’s straight on to the attack. Transitions are unavoidable, it’s harder to control. But (handling) that is not about ability as such, it’s getting your mind used to it. That’s different to La Liga but the thing that has most struck me is the dead ball, how important it is. I’m seeing loads of goals from that and they’re often what opens up the game. We have a set-play coach and we work on that practically daily."

He added: "But I choose a team on the basis of my qualities too: what they wanted from me. I have to adapt my play a bit in terms of playing faster, more direct. I’m a pivot, but in this structure I have the chance to take that step forward and Arteta insists a lot that I can play that final pass and make the difference. But I think my profile doesn’t change much. If they have signed me it is because they like what I do. They know this is what I can contribute to the team. If I changed my profile it would be an error."

Arne Slot was convinced he had secured Zubimendi’s signature last season, but was left disappointed after the midfielder decided upon another year with Real Sociedad. "I'm convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool," Jamie Carragher said in August. "He had agreed to come to Liverpool. He said he was coming - and at the last minute he said, 'I don't want to come. I'll have another year (at Sociedad).' Mikel Arteta's from the Basque area. There's no doubt he's been into him and said 'We're signing (Mikel) Merino this season, we'll come for you next season."

Zubimanedi has been hugely influential in the Gunners' midfield, and is pleased with life in the suburbs, just north of London. He said: "When any proposal comes, the first question has to be whether to stay at la Real. And it wasn’t the right moment. I stayed and it was a hard season but I learned a lot. I wanted to step forward, take that weight after others went. But I’ve always tried to choose the right time and I’m happy with how it happened in the end."