'The best central midfielder in LaLiga' - What will Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi bring to Arsenal?

Signing imminent 

Arsenal look set to complete their first major signing of the summer, with Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martín Zubimendi expected to join the Gunners in a deal in excess of €60m. According to The Athletic, the Spaniard is currently in London to complete the formalities of his transfer, with reports suggesting Arsenal will pay slightly more than €60m release clause included in the player's contract, as part of a pact with the LaLiga side. The fee is set to be higher but allowing the payment in instalments, rather than in one lump some. The two clubs are thought to share an excellent relationship after Arsenal's signing of Mikel Merino from the Spanish outfit last summer.

Mikel Arteta's team have already lost midfielder Jorginho to Flamengo, whilst Thomas Partey's contract is set to run out at the end of June, with the club still negotiating with the Ghanian. There is desperate need for reinforcements in midfield, and Zubimendi comes to the Premier League with a high reputation. The 26-year-old was close to joining Liverpool last summer, but rejected the Reds to stay at his boyhood club. Now, the Gunners have managed to lure him to north London and he could add another dimension to Arteta's team. With expert insight from our team in Spain, we look at how Zubimendi will fit in at Arsenal and what he could bring to the Emirates.

"He is probably the best central midfielder in LaLiga," claims Transfermarkt Content Manager in Spain Iván Fuente. A huge statement given the plethora of talented midfield players in the Spanish top-flight, such as Pedri and Federico Valverde. "Zubimendi is a player capable of controlling the tempo and rhythm. When playing out from the back he feels comfortable receiving the ball under pressure. He is very precise in his passing and able to break lines superbly," Fuente continued. That could be a key attribute for Arsenal and allow the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to receive the ball further up the pitch.

In terms of the areas Zubimendi could improve, Fuente said, "Probably his biggest weakness is he's not very tall and strong." However, these are qualities Rice has in abundance so the pair could end up complimenting each other perfectly in Arsenal's midfield. Asked whether he thinks Zubimendi can adapt to the Premier League and Arsenal's system, Fuente stated, "Yes. He is this kind of player that you want to have in your team when you want to play with the ball, with possession. His levels of precision in his short passes is top tier. He easily finds his teammates in a better position and passes the ball with ideal weight and always as the receiving player wants it. Zubimendi's quality in individual duels is also worth noting - he is aggressive, and does not mind jumping into space to follow his marker or steal the ball."

Zubimendi came through Real Sociedad's academy and has gone on to play 236 games for the Basque club, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists. He has also already made 19 caps for Spain, scoring two goals for his nation - most recently in the Nations League final defeat to Portugal. The 26-year-old has a current market value of €60m, but that's something Fuente believes will inevitably rise in the future: "Once he signs for a top team, his market value will undoubtedly increase, and this signing represents great value for Arsenal." The praise from Fuente didn't stop there either, as Transfermarkt's man in Spain compared the midfielder to some Spanish greats: " He could be included in the list of Spanish midfielders such as Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, or Rodri." 

Those are big shoes to fill, but Zubimendi will certainly go some way to addressing the Gunners' issue with a slightly ageing midfield, particularly in the no.6 position. Arsenal are also expected to sign a striker and a winger this summer, with both Viktor Gyökeres and Benjamin Sesko among their targets for the former position, and Real Madrid's Rodrygo reportedly an option for the latter. Much of the furore around the north London's club's summer business has been around forward recruitments, but in Zubimendi, Arsenal may have just signed a gem at the heart of their midfield. He will become the second most expensive midfielder in the club's history.