Arsenal’s new £51m signing Martín Zubimendi did not just walk into north London this summer. His arrival was the result of a quietly executed, two-year transfer plan that also delivered Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
The Gunners agreed a rare dual arrangement with the Spanish club last summer. They triggered Merino’s release clause in 2024 and Zubimendi’s one year later.
The clever structure helped spread Arsenal’s financial outlay, allowed Thomas Partey’s contract to run its course, and gave Sociedad time to replace two of their most influential players. Zubimendi, meanwhile, remained to captain his boyhood side for one final season.
‘It was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club,’ said Mikel Arteta, speaking at the start of Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Singapore.
‘To understand a way how we could get what we wanted in two different years at the same time. And both players were very keen to come, which is very necessary.
‘We’ve done what we wanted, I think the players did what they wanted, and I think Real Sociedad at the end were happy as well. I think it’s a very positive outcome for all parties.’
The move for Zubimendi was kept under wraps despite late attempts by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to hijack the deal. The midfielder had already turned down Liverpool the summer before.
‘There’s always a moment I’m not involved, and probably they don’t tell me when it gets really, really difficult,’ said Arteta.
‘But especially when you feel that we are convinced, and then we get that from the players too. If the agent is giving you the same impression, you are more likely to get the deal over the line. When one of those three parts are a bit off, things can get complicated. In this case, I was always very, very positive.’
Zubimendi, speaking alongside Merino at the launch of Arsenal and adidas’s new away kit at the NOVA Rooftop in Singapore, admitted the move had been brewing behind the scenes.
‘I always wanted to respect Real Sociedad,’ he said. ‘But once Arsenal convinced me, I knew it was the right project. Signing for Arsenal is a big change for me. It’s the change I wanted.
‘And since the first day I’ve been here I’ve noticed the greatness of this club and I’m adapting. I don’t know what Mikel Arteta saw in me, but what I saw in him is that he’s a top coach in Europe.
‘When I wanted to leave Real, I wanted a quality coach, and I think I’ve found one. I’ve seen how obsessive and detailed he is with his game, so I think I’ve found the right one.’
Now primed to replace Partey as Arsenal’s midfield anchor, Zubimendi is clear-eyed about the task ahead and being the man to help stop Arsenal being the nearly men.
‘Hopefully,’ he said. ‘Football is all about the details. I followed them in the Champions League last season and Arsenal were the only team that really stood up to PSG and they just missed the details.’
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were speaking at adidas’s launch of Arsenal’s 2025-26 away shirt. To buy, visit: adidas.com/arsenal
