Arsenal have been pursuing Martin Zubimendi as their top transfer target for more than a year now, and although there were rumblings that Real Madrid could potentially swoop in and sign the Real Sociedad star with Xabi Alonso entering the picture as their new manager, the Gunners were always seen as overwhelming favorites to land the 26-year-old defensive midfielder.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has given the official “Here We Go” to the move, stating that Zubimendi has verbally agreed to sign a long-term deal with the North London powerhouse, and Arsenal, of course, can sign Zubi due to his 60 million euro release clause.
With Zubimendi set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium one year after former Real Sociedad midfield teammate Mikel Merino did the same, here’s a look at how the Arsenal starting lineup could look with the Spanish international in it.
GK David Raya
The best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, David Raya is arguably the safest starter in the Arsenal starting XI.
LB Myles Lewis-Skelly
CB Gabriel Magalhaes
CB William Saliba
The center back partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba is probably the best in world football right now, and with Martin Zubimendi joining the defensive midfield as a stabilizing presence, the center of the Arsenal defense becomes that much more solid and compact.
RB Jurrien Timber
DM Declan Rice
Declan Rice came to Arsenal in 2023 for a club record 105 million pounds, and although the Gunners haven’t won any major silverware since beating the mighty Manchester City to this marquee transfer, the importance Rice played in the club reaching the Champions League semifinals this season is an indication that he has been – and will be – worth the money.
The pairing of Rice and Zubimendi will be much, much better than the one between Rice and Thomas Partey. Zubimendi will give Rice more freedom to take riskier passes and play a little further up the pitch when Arsenal are chasing a goal. He’ll get to be more box-to-box and more offensive as a playmaker than having to totally focus on controlling the passing game and taking on such a brunt of the technical work from the, quite frankly, grossly overrated Partey.
DM Martin Zubimendi
There’s a reason why Mikel Arteta and the decision-makers at Arsenal have been so intent on signing Zubimendi, and that is because he is a transformational player tactically with his ability to read the game offensively and defensively.
Zubi was the deep-lying orchestrator of a Real Sociedad team that went from consistently just missing out on European football to one consistently competing for the Champions League.
The 26-year-old is a highly intelligent player, an accurate passer, and a strong defender. He isn’t an elite midfielder, but he isn’t far off and can really break out with a team like Arsenal with players like Rice around him.
AM Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard benefits the most from the Zubimendi signing, because he can get better, more progressive passes funneled into him that allow him to make a better play as the next step instead of running out of trouble.
The Norwegian international, also a former Real Sociedad star, can play further up the pitch and be more of an offensive playmaker for Arsenal with Zubimendi forming a highly technical wall behind him alongside Rice.
LW Leandro Trossard
Right now, Leandro Trossard is the better option than Gabriel Martinelli. He makes better decisions, his end product is far more consistent, and his defensive work rate is higher.
CF Kai Havertz
Obviously, Arsenal need a new starting striker next season, but, for now, a healthy Kai Havertz has proven he’s the best option up top over a makeshift Mikel Merino or a lower-upside Gabriel Jesus.
RW Bukayo Saka
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.