Such praise underlines why Arsenal have invested more than £50million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. With Jorginho and Thomas Partey departing, the club are overhauling the base of their midfield and they first started looking for a world-class No6 a year ago.

M artin Zubimendi revealed that he “set his sights” on a move to Arsenal this summer, despite intense speculation surrounding a potential switch to Real Madrid.

Following his signing with Arsenal, Martín Zubimendi is already speaking like a new player for the Gunners.  The midfielder from Gipuzkoa, who signed a five-year