Overview
- Arsenal agreed a £55 million deal in June to sign Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to fill the deep-lying midfield role vacated by Thomas Partey and Jorginho
- He settled quickly in pre-season and created Viktor Gyökeres’s opener in Arsenal’s Emirates Cup win over Athletic Club
- Sources cited by James McNicholas say Zubimendi has untapped attacking qualities that Arsenal’s possession-based approach could unlock
- Adrian Clarke observed that Zubimendi’s willingness to drop into right-back freed Jurrien Timber to invert into central midfield during recent games
- Early performances have earned him public praise and put him on track to start Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford