Overview

• Arsenal signed the 26-year-old for £55 million on a five-year deal, paying above his £51m release clause to secure favourable payment terms with Real Sociedad.
• Zubimendi says he remained at Real Sociedad in 2024 because it “wasn’t the right moment,” despite being strongly linked with a move to Liverpool.
• He credits a persuasive phone call from Mikel Arteta and a clearly defined role as decisive factors in choosing the Emirates switch.
• He has integrated quickly, starting most matches alongside Declan Rice and recording nine appearances with two goals early in the season.
• His volley against Nottingham Forest won the Premier League Goal of the Month, he earned early-season award nominations, and he joked his initiation song was “the worst thing in football.”