Why Zubimendi is the key to Arsenal's midfield revival in 2025-26
Arsenal has a good spine with a top forward in Bukayo Saka, a defence with Gabriel and William Saliba, and a supposed star duo of Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard in the midfield. They might be top players, but they have not been in the optimal midfield set-up that takes advantage of both of their assets.
That changes with Martin Zubimendi coming in. The Spanish midfielder could be significant for Arsenal, possessing the qualities that manager Mikel Arteta values for his team.
Zubimendi gives Arsenal the midfielder they need
Arsenal has operated with either Thomas Partey or Jorginho as their defensive midfielder or #6 in the 2024-25 season. They have been good because they dictate the game’s pace. However, they are limited on the physical side of the game, as they are slower out of possession (OOP), making other players adjust to them.
With Zubimendi, that won’t be the case as he is athletic enough to play as the #6, but he still has the qualities of Partey and Jorginho. The passing range encourages the rest of the team to bomb forward. Rice, who was a #6 before joining Arsenal, has become the left-sided #8 with Ødegaard on the right.
Now that they have more opportunities to attack, they can focus on that aspect of the game and contribute to creating goals. Rice has done well with that in the 2024-25 season, but Ødegaard could have a resurgent campaign.
Arsenal’s midfield depth will be remarkable
If and when Zubimendi joins Arsenal, the club will have a strong cast of midfielders. The trio of Zubimendi, Rice, and Ø are the primary options, but they also have Mikel Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly moving from left-back to their preferred midfield roles.
This midfield also includes Ethan Nwaneri, who has been developed as the depth behind Ødegaard. Another academy graduate, Max Dowman, is also being developed into one of the team’s best midfielders. He is only 15, but the potential is impressive, as Arteta wants to integrate him into the system.
With more reinforcements likely coming in the transfer window, Arsenal could have one of the world’s best midfield lineups. This will make them one of the squads other clubs will be wary of.
Arsenal can win trophies with this core
Zubimendi’s arrival allows more players to be in their natural positions, which could be what Arsenal needs to start winning trophies. Those could come in the Premier League, Champions League, or even the cup competitions, as they have the depth to compete.
The club has competed at the highest level over the past few seasons, which means those experiences could lead the team to improve and beat the top teams.
