
‘They Like What I Do’ – Martin Zubimendi Reveals How Mikel Arteta Persuaded Him to Join Arsenal in Bid for Premier League Glory
Inside Arteta’s Charm Offensive and the Spanish Midfielder’s Perfect Start to Life in North London
When Martin Zubimendi arrived at London Colney for the first time this summer, there was a quiet sense among those at Arsenal that something significant was shifting. The 25-year-old Spaniard, fresh from anchoring Real Sociedad’s midfield with his calm assurance and tactical discipline, was not just another signing — he was part of Mikel Arteta’s grand design.
Now, only a few months into his Premier League career, Zubimendi has already become the heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield, adapting to England’s frenetic pace while preserving the poise and intelligence that made him one of La Liga’s most coveted players. And according to the man himself, Arteta’s conviction and clarity were decisive in convincing him to leave San Sebastián for North London.
Making the Big Move to London
Born and raised in San Sebastián, Zubimendi’s footballing education came through the hallowed halls of Real Sociedad’s Zubieta academy, where intelligence, technique, and positional sense are drilled into every player from the earliest age.
After joining the club’s youth setup in 2011, he made his first-team debut in 2019 under Imanol Alguacil, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of Sociedad’s possession-heavy, tactically disciplined style. By the time he left, Zubimendi had amassed over 200 appearances, helped the club win the Copa del Rey in 2020, and guided them to a fourth-place La Liga finish in 2023 — sealing Champions League qualification for the first time in a decade.
So when Arsenal came calling with a £56 million offer, there was both excitement and trepidation. Moving from his boyhood club to the Premier League’s intensity would be a seismic step. But Arteta’s persistence — and his shared Basque roots — helped seal the deal.
Zubimendi made his debut against Manchester United, showing glimpses of his trademark composure in tight spaces, and scored his first goals — a superb brace — in a 4-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Within weeks, he was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month, a sign of how quickly he has adapted to English football’s unforgiving tempo.

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Zubimendi Charmed by Arteta Into Switch
In an interview with The Guardian, Zubimendi peeled back the curtain on his move to Arsenal and how Arteta’s vision made the project impossible to refuse.
“I choose a team based on what they want from me,” he said. “If they’ve signed me, it’s because they like what I do. They know what I can bring to the team. If I changed my profile, it would be an error.”
Arteta had long admired Zubimendi’s ability to dictate tempo and break lines with precision — qualities Arsenal have sought since the days of Santi Cazorla. But the Spaniard’s intelligence off the ball, his positional mastery, and his quiet leadership made him a particularly perfect fit for Arteta’s tactical blueprint.
“Arteta insists that I can play that final pass, that I can make the difference higher up,” Zubimendi explained. “I’m still a pivot, but I now have the chance to step forward, to take risks. It’s different to La Liga, where it’s more about control and rhythm. Here, the game moves so fast that transitions are unavoidable.”
He continued:
“In England, the mentality is to go into every duel hard, to fight. You win the ball and it’s straight to attack. That’s different from Spain, where we keep it more. But it’s not just physical — it’s mental. You need to adapt your mind to that pace.”
Zubimendi has also been surprised by the importance of set pieces in the Premier League — something Arsenal have mastered under Nicolas Jover, their set-piece coach.
“The thing that’s struck me most is the dead ball. We work on it practically every day. So many games are decided by it. In Spain, it’s not as decisive, but here it opens the game up completely.”
Arsenal’s Gain, Liverpool’s Loss
Zubimendi’s arrival at Arsenal has already raised eyebrows — not least on Merseyside.
Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, were convinced they had secured his signature earlier this year. But as Jamie Carragher later revealed on Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta’s late intervention changed everything.
“I’m convinced Arteta stole him from Liverpool,” Carragher joked. “He had agreed to come. Then at the last minute, he said, ‘I’ll stay another year at Sociedad.’ Arteta’s from the Basque region — there’s no doubt he went in and said, ‘We’ll come for you next season.’”
That personal touch proved crucial. Arteta, who hails from San Sebastián’s neighbouring city of San Sebastián, spoke directly to Zubimendi about his vision — not just for Arsenal’s midfield, but for the club’s entire football identity.
In the end, it wasn’t about money or prestige. It was about purpose. Zubimendi felt understood — and that made all the difference.
Adapting to the Premier League
Even the most talented imports from Spain often need months to acclimatise to English football’s relentless physicality. But Zubimendi’s transition has been almost seamless.
Part of that is down to Arteta’s careful integration. The Arsenal boss paired Zubimendi alongside Declan Rice early on, alternating between a double pivot and a single anchor role depending on the opposition. The balance between the two — Rice’s athleticism and Zubimendi’s spatial awareness — has given Arsenal a midfield equilibrium they’ve lacked since the days of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva.
Fans have already noted how Zubimendi’s passing rhythm has transformed Arsenal’s build-up play. He rarely takes more than two touches, constantly scanning and directing traffic with subtle gestures. And in the final third, his growing confidence has allowed him to add an attacking edge — two assists and three goals in his first 10 appearances tell their own story.
Off the pitch, he’s quietly settled into North London life. He and his partner have moved to Hadley Wood, not far from the training ground, where many Arsenal players live.
“When any proposal comes, you have to ask yourself if it’s the right moment to leave,” he told The Guardian. “Last year, it wasn’t. I stayed at La Real, learned a lot, and took on responsibility after others left. Now, it felt right. And I’m happy with how it happened in the end.”
The Arteta Effect

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For Mikel Arteta, Zubimendi’s arrival is another example of his methodical recruitment strategy — one that values intelligence and personality as much as technical ability.
Arteta has made no secret of his desire to build a side that reflects not just tactical precision, but emotional unity. Players like Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus are chosen as much for their mentality as their skills.
Arteta’s pitch to Zubimendi reportedly centred on trust and evolution. He told the midfielder that Arsenal didn’t just need a passer — they needed a thinker, someone who could dictate tempo and lead transitions. He compared him to Sergio Busquets, but with the dynamism to push forward when required.
“Mikel told me he wanted a midfielder who could control, but also create,” Zubimendi said. “He believes I can help balance the team. And when a coach has that kind of belief in you, it’s impossible not to respond.”
Eyes on the Premier League Prize
Arsenal’s pursuit of Zubimendi wasn’t about depth — it was about taking the final step. After two near-misses in the title race, Arteta wanted a player who could sustain consistency, manage games, and bring calm in chaos.
So far, the Spaniard has done exactly that. His presence has freed up Rice to surge forward more often and allowed Ødegaard to operate higher up the pitch. Arsenal’s midfield now looks complete — dynamic, balanced, and versatile.
With Arsenal aiming to finally end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title, Zubimendi’s influence could be decisive. He’s already become the metronome — the quiet controller whose fingerprints are on every passing sequence.
But the man himself remains humble.
“I’m just focused on improving every day,” he said. “If they like what I do, then I’ll keep doing it. The rest will come naturally.”
A Basque in North London
It’s fitting that Arteta and Zubimendi — two Basques shaped by Spain’s footballing philosophy — are now united in England’s capital, leading one of Europe’s youngest, most exciting sides.
Both men share a belief in football as a thinking game — one played with the head as much as the heart. And for Arsenal fans, that blend of tactical intelligence and quiet intensity might finally be what takes them over the finish line.
Zubimendi may be understated, even shy at times, but he embodies everything Arteta wants this Arsenal to be: composed, creative, and utterly committed to perfection.
As one teammate reportedly said after his first training session: “He doesn’t shout. He just makes everyone else play better.”
And really, that’s the highest compliment any footballer can receive.
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