The Case For Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi As Premier League's Best Player

Arsenal are heavy favorites to go on and win this season's Premier League. They've put themselves in a commanding position with around a third of the campaign remaining and ought to see out the job from here on in. It's been a real team effort with everyone in Mikel Arteta's squad pulling their weight, but there will always be clamor to crown one player above all others. Why can't that be Martin Zubimendi?

Signed from Real Sociedad for $76.3 million last summer, the Spain international has slotted in seamlessly at the Emirates Stadium. He looks and feels like an Arsenal player from any of their successful eras, and here he is helping them fight for a first title in 22 years.

Zubimendi's transition to Premier League life has made him seem like a seasoned veteran, yet there hasn't been much fanfare over his performances. It's time that changed, and he earned his fair share of kudos.

Zubimendi first announced himself to English audiences in 2024. Before finding himself embroiled in a transfer saga, he became known as the man who effortlessly replaced Rodri in Spain's Euros final win over the Three Lions. Though the Manchester City star would go on to win that year's Ballon d'Or, Rodri's case was arguably weakened by how the eventual champions of Europe didn't miss a beat with Zubimendi stepping in.

"He's a great player," Rodri said of his La Roja understudy last year. "He has the discipline and mentality that can lead him to become one of the best, if he isn't already. I spoke to him the other day and told him it was his time, that I was leaving him the keys to the team."

After winning Euro 2024, Zubimendi was courted heavily by Liverpool, who were convinced they could persuade him to leave boyhood club Real Sociedad. He