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Zubimendi's Arsenal Debut: £60m Star Eyes Rodri-Like Success
Aug 16 2025 21:38 · By Ryan Taylor
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Martin Zubimendi has already identified the biggest change since swapping Arsenal for Real Sociedad. This season, failing to win is just not an option.
New £60million signing Zubimendi, who finished 11th in La Liga last term with Sociedad, said ahead of his Premier League debut against Manchester United : “The main change will be in mentality; dropping points is not allowed here. Mikel [Arteta] is very detail-oriented, he is obsessed with taking advantage of every play.
"He’ll certainly ask a lot of things from me and it's been a very different summer. The change hasn't been easy, but I'm here now and eager to get started."
Zubimendi snubbed the chance to join Liverpool last summer in favour of staying with boyhood club Sociedad However, when Arsenal came calling, he did not need convincing to sign on the dotted line at the Emirates.
He continued: "Last year, I also had doubts. I felt I could still contribute a lot to Real Sociedad and that I still had steps to take.
"But this summer, I felt like my time had come.Once the signing was close, we talked, but he didn't need to convince me as I already knew what I wanted by seeing how the team played."
If Arsenal are to finally end their 20-year wait for Premier League title glory they will not only have to oust champions Liverpool but also Manchester City and Chelsea .
Zubimendi is seeking to take inspiration from Spain team-mate and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri as he bids to conquer English football.
He said of his compatriot, who has won four top-flight titles since swapping Atletico Madrid for City in the summer of 2019: “I admire him a lot, although I think we are totally different players. I hope to be able to have the success that Rodri has had in the Premier League."
Arteta confirmed on Friday that Zubimendi will be fit to the trip to Old Trafford after some speculation he was nursing a fitness issue.
The Spaniard said of his compatriot: “[On Zubi], he had a great integration. As everybody can see this immediately, a very big impact on the team. I'm really happy and he will be fit.”
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.