Martin Zubimendi – Arsenal’s best player?

When Mikel Arteta referred to Arsenal’s “best player” back in October, many assumed he meant a regular headline name. Instead, he was pointing at summer signing Martin Zubimendi.

Just months into his Arsenal career, the £60m midfielder has become the tactical heartbeat of the team — and possibly their most important player.

But is he truly their best?

The Case For Zubimendi

Ever-present influence

• Most minutes of any Arsenal outfield player

• Six goals in 34 appearances (career-best return)

• Crucial strikes vs Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Sunderland

Signed primarily as a defensive midfielder, Zubimendi has added goals to a profile already built on intelligence, positioning and composure.

He unlocks Arsenal’s build-up

Zubimendi sprints to find separation from his marker before receiving a pass from goalkeeper David Raya in a more dangerous, but more promising, position compared to the central defenders. His first-time pass finds the left centre-back free

Arsenal’s controlled-possession style depends on a midfielder who can:

• Receive under pressure behind the press

• Progress play quickly

• Dictate tempo

Zubimendi excels at all three.

His ability to show for the ball at precisely the right moment — then either punch a vertical pass or glide forward himself — has noticeably elevated Arsenal’s structure.

This is why he was pursued so aggressively after leaving Real Sociedad.

He frees up others

Odegaard drops deep, splitting the centre-backs to aid in build-up. Bukayo Saka drops deep from the right wing with Zubimendi and Rice in central midfield positions

Zubimendi’s arrival has transformed:

• Declan Rice — given licence to attack more

• Martin Odegaard — more fluid positional rotations

• Bukayo Saka — benefits from interior overloads

Because Zubimendi can sit or surge forward, Arsenal rotate seamlessly without losing balance.

This positional flexibility resembles the kind of fluid midfield systems seen at elite European sides — where structure remains intact even as players interchange.

The Tactical Twist: A Defensive Midfielder Who Attacks

What makes Zubimendi different is how Arteta uses him:

• Late runs into space against low blocks

• Arriving unmarked at the edge of the box

• Shooting from range to force defensive shifts

Against deep defences, Arsenal often struggle for space inside the box. Zubimendi’s ability to operate in the “forgotten zone” — just outside it — has become a key weapon.

He’s not just protecting transitions. He’s shaping them.

So… Is He Arsenal’s Best?

That depends on how you define “best.”

If “best” means:

• Most explosive talent → Saka

• Most complete box-to-box force → Rice

• Most creative influence → Ødegaard

But if “best” means:

• The player Arsenal collapse without

• The one who dictates tempo

• The one who allows everyone else to function

Then Zubimendi has a very strong case.

He is the system’s anchor — and increasingly, its surprise attacking threat.

Final Verdict

Zubimendi may not be Arsenal’s flashiest player.

He may not top the shirt-sales charts.

But in terms of tactical importance, control and subtle match-winning impact?

He might be exactly what Arteta meant.