Martin Zubimendi quietly delivered one of the night’s standout performances and Mikel Arteta may have been watching closely.
The Real Sociedadmidfielder scored the opening goal for Spain. He posted a superb 94.4% pass accuracy, completing 101 of 107 passes. His composure and control in the middle of the park were vital in Spain’s eventual triumph.
By contrast, Pedri( who had a perfect 100% passing rate) made only 52 passes. This showed how much of the game flowed through Zubimendi.
More than his numbers, Zubimendi’s positional intelligence and versatility stood out. He’s not one to rack up goals because that’s not his role. He shields the defense when needed, recycles possession efficiently, and sets the tempo from deep.
At 26, he’s entering his prime and could bring exactly what Arsenal’s midfield lacks. He’ll become the anchor who allows more attacking players like Ødegaard and Rice to roam freely. With Arteta known for valuing positional play and technical precision, Zubimendi could be the perfect addition to complete Arsenal’s midfield puzzle.
