Arsenal quickly confirmed the number of Martin Zubimendi's shirts after completing the long -standing transfer deal for Real Sociedad.
The Spanish midfielder officially joined the Gunners, after the £ 51 million liberation clause in the British contract at Sociedad was activated. The deal has been rumored for months, starting in January, despite Real Madrid, it is said to have tried to “hold hands on” at the last minute after appointing Xabi Alonso as a coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
However, Zubimendi signed a 5 -year contract with Arsenal, becoming the second rookie of coach Mikel Arteta this summer, after Kepa moved from Chelsea for £ 5 million to compete the No. 1 goalkeeper with David Raya.
At Arsenal, Zubimendi will wear the number 36, the number of shirts that had previously belonged to the young goalkeeper Tommy Setford, and has also been played by players like Emiliano Martinez, Ismael Bennacer, Johan Djourou or Jermaine Pennant for two decades.
The reason Zubimendi chose this quite special shirt because this was the first number he used to wear when he stepped on the first team of Real Sociedad. This figure has a special meaning for Zubimendi, as a reminder of the early days of his career and his debut.
Zubimendi used to wear 36 shirts at Sociedad from the 2018/19 season to 2020/21, then moved to number 3 and recently number 4. In the color of the Spanish team, he used 18.
Sharing the reason for Arsenal, Zubimendi said: “I have targeted Arsenal as soon as I decided to leave, because I think their style of play is very suitable for me. This is a young team, full of desire and ambitious. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best things are still in front.
As soon as you arrive here, you will realize how big the club and team are. Andrea (Berta) and Mikel (Arteta) took care of me very enthusiastically, making me absolutely no doubt. This is a big milestone in my career. This is the step forward that I have expected – a step that I really want to do. Of course, this is a big change, but I'm ready to start. “
In addition to Kepa and Zubimendi, Arsenal has not stopped in the transfer market this summer. Coach Arteta and sports director Andrea Berta are targeting a series of quality targets in both the upper and defense.
With the happening deals, Arsenal is preparing for an ambitious transfer to strengthen the new season.
