Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been warned that new midfielder Martin Zubimendi has two flaws in his game that could hurt the team
However, concerns have already been voiced about whether Zubimendi will be able to deliver at the level Arsenal require in the high-paced environment of the Premier League. Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson questioned the club’s outlay and the player’s ability to offer the dynamism needed in the role.
“He’s not dynamic,” Robson told ESPN. “He plays the holding role and he’ll keep the ball quite nicely, but I’ve done commentary on La Liga and I’ll have a little joke about how many times he’s going to pass it forward. He hardly ever passes it forward, there’s no penetrative or goalscoring passes, he just keeps the thing flowing. There are lots of players who can do that, and you’re paying a lot of money for a player who can just keep things moving along.”
Robson also questioned Zubimendi’s athleticism, drawing comparisons to former Arsenal midfielder Jorginho and Manchester City’s Rodri: “He’s no more athletic than Jorginho is, and he certainly won’t be as good defensively as Rodri. If you’re going to be a holding midfielder, even if you are good on the ball, you have to be a good athlete. You have to cover full-backs and midfielders who’ve gone forward, and I don’t see him doing that.”
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol echoed Robson’s concerns, suggesting Zubimendi may struggle to provide defensive cover when Arsenal push numbers forward.
“If you’re going to let Ødegaard and Rice get forward, you know they are going to pen teams in,” Nicol said. “The biggest problem Manchester City have is when teams break out, you need someone in the middle to stop that. I don’t see how this guy stops them. He’s not quick around the field, and that’s my problem.”
Despite the skepticism, Arteta and Arsenal’s recruitment team believe Zubimendi brings a high level of tactical intelligence and composure, qualities they feel are essential for their style of play. The midfielder was instrumental in Real Sociedad’s rise under Imanol Alguacil and also impressed during Spain’s Euro 2024-winning campaign.
Zubimendi could make his competitive debut when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on August 17 in their 2025/26 Premier League opener.
