There are still two Premier League games to go, but for all intents and purposes, Arsenal’s season came to an end on Wednesday night.
Moreover, while Mikel Arteta and the players still have to give their all for those two games – Champions League football hasn’t been secured yet – it’s clear the club are looking ahead to next season.
For example, just a few days after the disappointment in Paris, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano finally gave Martin Zubimendi’s long-rumoured move to Arsenal the ‘here we go’ treatment.
The details still need to be finalised, but the Spanish international is now set to join the Gunners for around £51m in the summer, and while that’s tremendously exciting, he’ll have to hit the ground running to see his valuation match that of one of his new teammates at the Emirates.
Why Arsenal want Zubimendi
Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth examining why Arsenal are so keen to sign Zubimendi in the first place.
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Firstly, he helps to pad out the number six position in the squad, as while Thomas Partey is reportedly in talks with the club over a new deal, Jorginho is set to join Brazilian side Flamengo in the summer.
However, Arteta and Co are obviously interested in the Spanish international for far more than that, including his defensive nous.
For example, according to FBref, the “elite tempo controller,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, sits in the top 6% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, for shots blocked and clearances, the top 7% for touches in his penalty area and percentage of aerial duels won, the top 15% for tackles in the attacking third and more, all per 90.
That’s not all, though, as on top of his defensive abilities, the “world-class” midfielder, as dubbed by former teammate Kieran Tierney, also has an abundance of experience and, more importantly, has proven himself in high-pressure games.
Appearances
333
17
Minutes
21215′
984′
Goals
10
1
Assists
9
0
Major Trophies
1
1
For example, he’s made 233 appearances for Sociedad’s first team, including 90 minutes in the club’s 2020 Copa del Rey triumph, and won 15 caps for Spain, one of which came in the second half of the European Championships final, a game La Roja beat England in.
In all, Zubimendi’s technical and defensive ability, combined with his experience of winning when the pressure is on, makes him look like the ideal midfield acquisition for Arsenal this summer, even if he’s worth millions less than one of his future teammates.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Zubimendi
While Partey and Mikel Merino have both played significant roles for Arsenal this season, neither one has a higher valuation than Zubimendi, nor should they.
Declan Rice, conversely, does, with Transfermarkt valuing him at €110m, which is about £93m, or a whopping £42m more than the Sociedad star is set to cost the Gunners.
Now, while that is undoubtedly a lot of money for a central midfielder, it would be hard to say he’s not proven himself worthy of it this year, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher describing him as the club’s “best player this season.”
While it might sound a little hyperbolic, such comments are more than backed up by the midfield monster’s statistics this year.
For example, in 50 appearances, the “monster” Englishman, as dubbed by Arsenal writer Connor Humm, has scored eight goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.77, which is undeniably impressive for someone primarily playing as an eight.
Progressive Carries
2.70
Top 5%
Corner Kicks
3.10
Top 5%
Carries into the Penalty Area
0.56
Top 6%
Crosses
4.66
Top 7%
Assists
0.21
Top 8%
Goals + Assists
0.38
Top 10%
Touches (Att Pen)
2.73
Top 10%
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.32
Top 11%
Moreover, FBref has placed him in the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and corner kicks, the top 6% for carries into the penalty area, the top 7% for crosses, the top 8% for assists, the top 10% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, signing Zubimendi is incredibly exciting and shows real ambition from Arsenal, but he will have to be truly sensational in North London to see his valuation match Rice’s.
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