Official: Arsenal confirm the signing of Martin Zubimendi

On the move Zubimendi said: “Once I made the decision to leave, I set my sights on Arsenal. This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for; one I wanted to make. Of course, it’s a big change, but I’m ready to get started.”

Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, added: “We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has.

“We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.”

Mikel Arteta added: “Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.

The Spaniard arrives after a standout spell at Real Sociedad, where he made over 180 appearances and developed a reputation as one of the best No.6s in Europe. His calmness under pressure, elite game-reading, and ability to control tempo make him an ideal fit for Arteta’s system. He is expected to slot straight into the base of midfield, allowing Declan Rice to play higher up the pitch – a role where he thrived at times last season.

Arsenal’s midfield depth had become a clear concern heading into the new campaign, and Zubimendi’s arrival signals a decisive response.

This signing also reflects the influence of new transfer chief Andrea Berta, whose strategic approach to squad building is starting to take shape. Arsenal fans will now be watching closely as Zubimendi links up with his new teammates during pre-season, with expectations high for the 2025/26 campaign.

For more on Arsenal’s latest moves, visit our Arsenal transfer news section.