Last year, Martin Zubimendi firmly rejected Liverpool's offer and stayed with Real Sociedad. He did not do the same when Arsenal contacted him this summer and decided to leave the Basque club after 15 years.
Martin Zubimendi officially joins Arsenal
On the evening of July 6, Arsenal's homepage posted an announcement about the signing of Martin Zubimendi with a welcome message from compatriot coach Mikel Arteta: "Martin will bring great quality and football intelligence to Arsenal. He will integrate well and has all the qualities to become our key player."
Martin Zubimendi revealed that it was his coach Mikel Arteta and former teammate Mikel Merino who convinced him to join Arsenal. The prospect of working with his fellow countrymen was the motivation for Zubimendi to join the London club.
Announcement of successful recruitment of Martin Zubimendi on Arsenal homepage
Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal's second signing of the summer, after they successfully bid for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m.
This is also the second time in 12 months that the Gunners have successfully recruited a Basque player after bringing in Mikel Merino last summer, also from Real Sociedad.
In an interview with the London press, Martin Zubimendi said: "When I decided to leave Real Sociedad, I just wanted to join Arsenal because my playing style fits the team. Hopefully I will be successful with a new young team that is always hungry for victory."
Zubimendi receives the number 36 shirt, which previously belonged to Emiliano Martinez, Johan Djourou and Jermaine Pennant
Martin Zubimendi, 26, has come through the Real Sociedad academy and has made 236 appearances for the team in all competitions. He won the Copa del Rey with Sociedad in the 2019-2020 season; and helped the team finish 4th in La Liga 2022-2023, the best ranking in the club's history, and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 10 years.
Martin Zubimendi was a key member of the Spanish Olympic team, starting all five matches and helping the team to a runner-up finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also made 19 appearances for the Spanish national team, winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024.
Zubimendi will play for the Gunners for 5 seasons
According to experts, Zubimendi is a modern "number 6" with the ability to read situations sharply, keep the rhythm of the game and possess stable passing skills.
His arrival at Emirates promises to significantly strengthen Arsenal's squad in their ambition to win the Premier League and advance deep into the Champions League in the 2025-2026 season.
Martin Zubimendi will wear the number 36 shirt and wait to join up with his new team-mates at the Sobha Realty Training Centre as Arsenal prepare for the new season.
In the summer of 2024, Liverpool agreed to pay £55 million to break Zubimendi's contract, but the player refused because he was not ready to leave Spain.
Not only Liverpool, Real Madrid also tried to find Zubimendi's signature when new head coach Xabi Alonso took over this summer.
Man City are also very interested in the Spanish midfielder after Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/tan-binh-martin-zubimendi-tiet-lo-ly-do-chon-arsenal-quay-lung-voi-liverpool-196250707055048367.htm
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