AFTER being a chess sensation at 11, Martin Zubimendi knows the importance of thinking one step ahead at all times.
No doubt then, the Spanish midfielder would have been impressed by Arsenal’s patient and obsessive approach to signing him from Real Sociedad for £51million — a complex transfer 12 months in the making.
Zubimendi, 26, completed his Emirates switch on a five-year deal — the Gunners’ second arrival of the summer after spending £5m on Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Boss Mikel Arteta finally has his No 6 — an aggressive, snarling, ball-winning, midfield dictator who ruthlessly broke English hearts with an influential display in the final of Euro 2024.
Away from the pitch, he is quiet, shy, humble and unassuming but in the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa in 2011, he wiped the floor with rivals in an Under-12 chess championship triumph.
Zubimendi explained: “It’s a game that requires you to have everything under control. In both sports, the midfield is crucial because it defines the style of play.”
Despite Liverpool and Real Madrid threatening to derail the move, it was a transfer Arsenal always had under control.
Last summer, Arteta wanted to raid Sociedad for both Zubimendi AND Mikel Merino, sending then-sporting director Edu to Marbella to thrash out the ambitious plan.
The Spanish club did not want to lose both, instead only letting Merino join in a £32m deal.
So Arsenal waited a year before activating his £51m release clause.
But Zubimendi could also have joined Arne Slot’s Reds a year ago.
The midfielder isolated himself at home to consult his family.
Eventually, Zubimendi rejected Liverpool after being persuaded to remain at his beloved Sociedad by coach Imanol Alguacil and sporting director Roberto Olabe.
Fast forward a year and the result was different as Arteta convinced his fellow Basque to make London his new home.
Arteta’s presentations are well known, leaving most players and agents astounded by the level of detail and care put into them.
SunSport understands that Arteta and Zubimendi had an instant connection, sold on the project and vision at the Emirates.
Madrid made a late play for Zubimendi in June with new manager Xabi Alonso a big fan — both are represented by the same agent too — but Arsenal were not concerned.
From March, the transfer had been fully signed off, allowing Arsenal to press on with other targets for the summer, including a new No 9.
The recruitment strategy used by Arsenal and Arteta evaluates players in a tier system, with ‘Tier One’ meeting all parameters to improve the squad and take the team to the next level. In short, ‘world class’.
SunSport understands that Zubimendi is the ultimate ‘Tier One’ signing, one that Arsenal took their time over before making checkmate.
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