With the potential departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced the challenge of reconstructing his midfield for the 2025/26 season. Partey, a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s midfield since 2020, had been linked with a move to Barcelona, which could benefit the financially constrained Catalan club as they might acquire him on a free transfer. Meanwhile, Arteta targeted Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as a promising addition to fill the impending gap.
Martin Zubimendi said: “I didn’t have any pressure from my close circle. There is no pressure at all. Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I’ve been in there for half my life. A lot of what I am is part of Real, it’s my life. There will always be rumours and there are again now that the month of January is approaching, but I don’t waste energy on the noise outside.”
Zubimendi had been a long-term target for Arsenal, with interest reportedly predating his decision to remain at Real Sociedad despite attention from Liverpool and Manchester City. The midfielder’s release clause, valued at €60 million (£52.3 million), presented a feasible option for Arsenal, as it aligned with Transfermarkt’s valuation, preventing Sociedad from demanding a higher fee.
However, the primary obstacle in securing Zubimendi’s transfer appeared to be his deep-rooted connection with Real Sociedad. The 26-year-old’s commitment to his current club, as expressed in his statements, suggested that convincing him to leave Spain could prove challenging for Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy.
As the Gunners prepared for potential midfield changes, the pursuit of Zubimendi indicated their strategic approach to maintaining a competitive squad. Arsenal fans awaited further developments, eager to see how Arteta would navigate the transfer market to reinforce the team’s core.
