Midfielders · DM
Martín Zubimendi
Martín Zubimendi is the control signing: a Real Sociedad midfielder brought in to make Arsenal calmer when games become frantic. He is not a highlights player first; he is the player who makes the next pass feel inevitable.
| born | San Sebastián, Spain, 1999 |
|---|---|
| signed | 2025, from Real Sociedad |
Before N5
Zubimendi came through Real Sociedad's Zubieta academy, a Basque midfield education built on angles, patience and technical security. He became the reference point in La Real's midfield and earned Spain recognition because he could make difficult games look tidy.
The Arsenal chapter
Arsenal signed him from Real Sociedad in 2025 to deepen the midfield without changing its soul. The idea is simple: give Rice and Ødegaard another secure platform, especially in matches where Arsenal need to slow the noise and keep the ball under pressure.
How he plays
Zubimendi receives on the half-turn, plays early, and rarely takes touches he does not need. Defensively he is about positioning rather than flying tackles, closing lanes before opponents see them. He is a metronome with enough bite to survive English transitions.
Timeline
- 1999Born in San Sebastián
- 2011Joins Real Sociedad's academy
- 2019Makes his Real Sociedad first-team debut
- 2024Part of Spain's Euro 2024-winning squad
- 2025Signs for Arsenal from Real Sociedad
Honours
- UEFA Euro 2024 (Spain)
- Copa del Rey 2019/20 (Real Sociedad)
See the full Arsenal honours record for the club-wide list.
Publication record
Squad snapshot checked 24 Aug 2026. This page is a men’s first-team editorial record; availability and selection can change after publication.
Squad sources
- https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4688364/how-every-premier-league-club-could-line-up-in-202627
- https://www.arsenal.com/news/ezri-konsa-signs-for-arsenal-anWPZ2q36a9e
Links and source labels are shown exactly as retained in the published record.