Martin Zubimendi hasn’t even kicked a ball for Arsenal yet but he’s already sounding like he’s studied at the school of Mikel Arteta.
In his first proper media soundbite since signing for the Gunners, the Spanish midfielder dropped a line that would make Mikel Arteta proud, reflecting on Arsenal’s Champions League exit from last season with a level of maturity and insight fans are buzzing over.
Speaking with Gunnerblog ahead of the Gunners pre-season opening game against AC Milan in Singapore, he said: “Football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League. Arsenal were the only team who truly stood up to Paris Saint-Germain and they let it slip because of minor details.”
That quote alone has already caught fire among Arsenal fans online. It’s clear Zubimendi has not only been watching Arsenal closely, but he’s bought into the mentality Arteta has spent years cultivating, a razor-sharp focus on the fine margins that separate success from failure.
Arteta already has a protégé in Zubimendi
Zubimendi’s observation goes beyond flattery. He’s right. Arsenal went toe-to-toe with Ousmane Dembele and company across two legs and were arguably the better side for large stretches. But small lapses, a missed pass, a lapse in concentration ended up proving costly. And the fact that Zubimendi is already analyzing these moments speaks volumes. This isn’t a player coming in blind. It’s a player who understands the mission.
The 25-year-old is expected to form a key part of Arsenal’s new-look midfield alongside Declan Rice and captain Martin Ødegaard. And if his football IQ off the pitch is anything like what he’ll bring on it, the Gunners have secured a gem.
Let’s just say this: if you didn’t know better, you’d think Zubimendi was Arteta’s own protégé. The future of Arsenal’s midfield is in good hands.
