Martin Zubimendi's arrival at Arsenal has been nothing short of a revolution in the midfield, injecting a new level of control, composure, and tactical intelligence into the Gunners' play. The Spanish international, who signed a long-term contract with Arsenal in July 2025 for a reported £51 million, has quickly established himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta's squad. Zubimendi's ability to dictate the tempo of games, coupled with his impressive passing range and defensive awareness, has drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso.
Zubimendi's impact has been immediate. He made his debut for the club on August 17, 2025, in a 1–0 win against Manchester United. On September 13, he scored a brace in a 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Beyond the statistics, Zubimendi's influence is evident in the team's overall fluidity and tactical flexibility. He provides a crucial link between defense and attack, allowing the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard to flourish in more advanced roles. His understanding of space and ability to read the game allows him to break up opposition attacks and launch quick counter-attacks.
However, Zubimendi now faces what could be his ultimate test: a showdown against Manchester City and his international teammate Rodri. The two holding midfielders are set to battle for supremacy in the center of the pitch. Rodri has been a dominant force in the Premier League for years, anchoring City's midfield with his physicality, tactical discipline, and passing range. The City midfielder was the master before his injury.
Zubimendi is emerging as Rodri's heir for the Spanish national team. He has already occupied Rodri's place in the Spanish team, to the point that part of the latter's recovery is going to be fighting to reclaim it before the World Cup. Whoever dominates that same area of the pitch at the Emirates could go a long way to deciding the game, and maybe, eventually, the destination of the Premier League title. That's how good both are, albeit with some differences.
While Zubimendi may not yet possess Rodri's imposing physical presence, he compensates with his agility, technical skills, and tactical intelligence. Zubimendi is five-foot-11, but doesn't yet have Rodri's physicality. Throughout the City midfielder's rise to Ballon d'Or winner, he has looked the closest in the Premier League to a prime Roy Keane. Rodri is able to win balls that would otherwise look gone, and that in a manner where he almost. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and has the vision to pick out a pass to unlock defenses.
This match represents an opportunity for Zubimendi to not only showcase his individual talent but also demonstrate his ability to lead Arsenal to victory against one of the league's top teams. A strong performance against Rodri would further solidify his status as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and a key component of Arsenal's title aspirations.
Zubimendi's journey to Arsenal was not without its challenges. He spent his entire career at Real Sociedad, making 236 appearances for the club. He helped Sociedad win the 2019–20 Copa del Rey. Despite interest from other major European clubs, including Liverpool and Real Madrid, Zubimendi chose to join Arsenal, citing the club's playing style and the presence of manager Mikel Arteta as key factors in his decision.
"Once I made the decision to leave, I set my sights on Arsenal because I think their style of play is a good fit for me,” Zubimendi told his new club's website. “It's a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come".
As Zubimendi prepares to face Rodri and Manchester City, he carries the hopes of Arsenal fans who believe he can be the catalyst for a new era of success at the club. His ability to control the midfield, dictate the tempo, and provide both defensive stability and attacking impetus makes him a truly revolutionary player. The ultimate test awaits, but Zubimendi appears ready to embrace the challenge and lead Arsenal to new heights.
