Arsenal dominated Coventry 3-0 on Friday night to open the 2026/27 Premier League season, and it was no surprise to see how easily the reigning champions destroyed one of the newly promoted sides. Though, of course, Ipswich and Hull scored upset wins, and that actually makes what Arsenal did all the more impressive.
Christos Tzolis stole the show with an insane game in his Arsenal debut, and he might be the next big thing in the Premier League. And the former next big thing, Martin Odegaard, was like a new signing again with how much better he looked on Matchday 1 than almost any point last season.
But if you ask me – and by reading this article, you are essentially asking me – the biggest storyline wasn’t those guys, but rather defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Zubi is going to be up against it a little bit, because Arsenal spent a ton of money to sign one of the best Premier League defensive midfielders to start next to Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
But the thing is, Zubimendi is also one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and if his performances didn’t slip in the second half of the 2025/26 season, that wouldn’t even be in dispute.
There were a lot of takes about Martin Zubimendi last season about how he wasn’t good enough or a mirage to start the season, and then Arsenal went out and signed Bruno G.
But Zubimendi’s problem was just that he was working too hard and burned out, still adjusting to the physicality and stamina required in the Premier League. Now that he is rested, he is crushing it again, and in just one game, Zubi has proven that his biggest problem was burnout and fatigue; he is a totally class player and gives Arsenal three world class DMs.
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.