Martin Zvimendi’s arrival at Arsenal didn’t receive as much fanfare as some of the Premier League’s biggest names, but here’s why he was at his best.
Zvimendi celebrates his goal against Chelsea (Image: Arsenal FC, Getty Images)
The problem with Martin Zvimendi is that his £60m move is for about a year and he is likely to be a defensive midfielder.
So when it was finally announced that he was joining Arsenal, it felt almost overwhelming. This big announcement, the club’s announcement, probably raised the question: “Didn’t we already know that?”
And… Mikel Arteta signed another defensive midfielder (Victor Goqueres arrived almost three weeks later) when he really needed a striker.
But now we understand his true quality and exactly why he is proving to be, in my opinion, the best signing for a Premier League club in the summer of 2025.
read more: January’s best transfers as Liverpool win gold and Manchester United take the club’s pulseread more: Victor Gokeres congratulates teammates and announces commitment to Arsenal
It also came amid a slew of big deals for Florian Wirtz (around £115m) and Alexander Isak (around £125m), as well as Nick Waltemaid, Huge Ekitike, Brian Mbuumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
Moreover, Arsenal spent a lot of money. Manchester United did that. Chelsea spent a lot of money. Liverpool have won a major contract.
But in the midst of all the extravagant spending Zubimendi arrived and flourished almost unnoticed. why? Because he’s so good that it feels like he’s been playing in Arsenal’s midfield all along.
The only deal that comes even remotely close to this in terms of value for money and impact is Granit Xhaka’s £13m deal with Sunderland.
Martin Zvimendi scored Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
why? Because he took the team to another level, was outstanding and had a huge influence on the rest of Sunderland’s squad.
Similarly, Zubimendi looks like an absolute bargain. It was Arsenal’s former recruitment team who truly supported the deal and got the wheels in motion and prepared before the arrival of the club’s current sporting director, Andrea Berta.
Arsenal had previously tried to sign the player, and Liverpool were also interested in signing him, but he was reluctant to leave Real Sociedad. However, his former club teammate and current Spanish national teammate Mikel Merino was already at Arsenal.
It definitely helped calm him down and now Zvimendi looks very comfortable, confident and very good in Arsenal’s midfield.
It’s hard to classify him as a No. 6. He plays the role perfectly. He reads the game, is ready to react and his passing is great.
However, looking at their performance in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, there are players who can come forward, lead the team, and even score goals.
Zubimendi has proven to be key for Mikel Arteta (Image: )
His goal at Stamford Bridge, his technique of getting past defenders and keeping his cool was amazing. What a player.
Arsenal spent a lot of money last summer. But no one is better than Zvimendi. There will always be a debate about who is Arsenal’s best player this season as they chase the title.
Like Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka. Gabriel’s influence is huge. Zvimendi should be part of the same conversation.
But his quiet, unassuming genius means that even though he commands all the headlines, he still remains under the radar.
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