MARTIN ZUBIMENDI MAKES ARSENAL PROMISE AHEAD OF MAN UTD AS MIDFIELDERS INTENTIONS CRYSTAL CLEAR

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi spoke to the media after the Gunners' 3-0 win against Athletic Club

Martin Zubimendi is looking forward to his first season in an Arsenal shirt (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Martin Zubimendi has insisted the "best is yet to come" as Arsenal's summer signing looks ahead to the Premier League opener against Manchester United.

The Gunners will finally get their 2025/26 season up and running on Sunday when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Ruben Amorim's side. Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in a deal worth around £60million in July and has impressed when on the pitch.

The midfielder set up Viktor Gyokeres' first goal for the club in the 3-0 win over Athletic Club at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and after the game explained how he has been able to settle in so quickly. “It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me,” the Spaniard told Arsenal's official website.

“I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. [Declan and Martin Odegaard] are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all.

“It was an important game because we came from two defeats. It's true that they were friendlies, but this club doesn't understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and start the pre-season with a good feeling.”

The win over Athletic Club was Arsenal's fifth official pre-season friendly of the summer, with Arteta's side winning three and losing two. Zubimendi believes the team can use the experience and take it into the new campaign.

“Yes, the truth is that this team has to adapt to all contexts, whether it's losing or winning, with the aim of winning above all,” he said. “Let's hope we can get through these types of games and do great things.”

Asked about the support he’s felt all around the world and at home, Zubimendi added: “I noticed it during the Asia tour – In the end, it's a team that reaches the whole world. When I got here, these two games were incredible. Even though we didn't win the other day, the atmosphere was incredible, it's even more so today.

“It's a good end to pre-season, but the best is yet to come. In the end, the league is the league. We like to compete; we like to win. I'm very happy that it's starting now.”

- Sam Truelove

ZUBIMENDI'S CROSS TO VIKTOR GYOKERES 🔥

 

ARSENAL SIGNS MIDFIELDER CHRISTIAN NORGAARD FROM BRENTFORD

Arsenal.com

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford on Thursday for a reported fee of up to 15 million pounds ($20 million).

The 31-year-old Denmark international has signed a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. He is Arsenal's third signing of the offseason after midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arsenal has been busy in the transfer market after finishing runner-up in the Premier League for a third straight season.

A top striker is also among manager Mikel Arteta's targets.

Norgaard made 196 appearances for Brentford and scored 13 goals.

He said he was relishing the opportunity to play in the Champions League with Arsenal.

"You can get almost emotional because maybe it was a dream that I´ve given a little bit up on coming towards the later stage in my career," he said. "Now, I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign. It´s a childhood dream and something I didn´t think would be possible. So it´s something I´m really, really happy about."

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

DONE DEAL! |. MARTIN ZUBIMENDI IS OFFICIALLY A GUNNER

 

REAL MADRID 'PHENOMENON' RODRYGO MAKES ARSENAL TRANSFER DECISION AFTER £59M 'OFFER' REPORTS

Rodrygo has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has decided to snub interest from Arsenal to stay at the La Liga club for now, according to reports.

The Gunners are looking to bring in reinforcements this summer after ending a third season in a row in second place in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side failed to pick up any silverware and now the Arsenal boss and sporting director Andrea Berta are looking to improve, especially going forward.

Martin Zubimendi is one transfer that is ‘done and signed’ despite recent reports insisting that Real Madrid could still have a say in where the Real Sociedad midfielder ends up.

And it looks as if Arsenal are hoping to tie up deals for a striker and winger next with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg “totally convinced” that RB Leipzig striker Sesko will end up at the Emirates Stadium.

Plettenberg said on Sunday: “I have a very good feeling on Sesko moving to Arsenal. Meetings have already taken place. RB Leipzig are expecting the first offer from Arsenal for Benjamin Sesko next week.

“I am totally convinced Sesko will play for Arsenal next season.”

There have been many links with potential wingers over the past couple of months with Nico Williams and Rodrygo particularly heavily linked.

Reports over the weekend claimed that Arsenal are ‘willing to submit a 70 million euro [£59m] offer to try and get him away’ from Real Madrid this summer.

But now Spanish newspaper AS claim that Rodrygo ‘has decided to stay’ at Real Madrid unless it becomes clear that Xabi Alonso doesn’t want him at the club.

AS writes:

‘There were even rumors that he was more out than in the squad for the 2025-26 season.

‘The São Paulo native, however, has made a complete about-face: when everyone pointed him out as a potential sale in this summer transfer window, he has decided to stay until he sees what happens with his future. And the first few days with the change of coach are doing him phenomenal.’

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has labelled Rodrygo “a phenomenon” and says he would love to have his Brazil team-mate in the Gunners side next season.

Gabriel said: “I don’t [know if he is joining] but I’d like [him to] obviously. He’s a phenomenon. I’ve told people already, he’s a phenomenon! If it was up to me, of course.”

- Joe Williams

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI | NEW ARSENAL MIDFIELDER

 

ARSENAL TRANSFER COULD BE COMPLETED TODAY AFTER VERBAL AGREEMENT - MEDICAL COULD HAPPEN TODAY

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is closing in on a move to Arsenal, where he will sign a long-term contract.

That’s according to AS, who say Real Sociedad have reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal, who will pay the midfielder’s €60m release clause.

They say that Zubimendi’s goodbye from Real Sociedad is very close to being made official, with the Spanish side already having reached a verbal agreement over the transfer.

Arsenal will pay his €60m release clause and he will be their first signing this summer. AS have also learned that Zubimendi has already signed his contract with the Gunners.

He’s now waiting to pass his medical examination in London. That could be carried out in the next few hours. Arsenal are moving quickly to wrap up the deal after Real Madrid had started to show interest once again.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso as their new manager had given them hope that they could convince Zubimendi to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

But it appears that they have moved too late, with Zubimendi now on the verge of joining Arsenal, with the final details set to be concluded, perhaps even today.

- Sean Lunt

ANDREA BERTA IMMEDIATELY PUT TO WORK AS 'ARSENAL' 'WANT' NEW SPORTING DIRECTOR 'TO SECURE' £51M TRANSFER CAPTURE

Arsenal have announced the arrival of the vastly experienced Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The 53-year-old left his role as Atletico Madrid sporting director earlier this year, and he has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as the replacement for Edu.

Berta's arrival in North London has now been confirmed, and he has a huge reputation in the world of football, having been instrumental to Atletico's recent success, while he has worked in technical roles for both Parma and Genoa.

The Italian has said that he is making the move to Arsenal during "a hugely exciting period for the club", with the Gunners establishing themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title in recent seasons.

Arsenal confirm Berta appointment, as Italian replaces Edu

"I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club," he said in a statement on the club's official website.

"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."

Meanwhile, the club's co-chairman Josh Kroenke added: "Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.

Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.

"We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea's experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. "We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family."

Berta 'tasked' with securing deal for Real Sociedad's Zubimendi

According to The Mirror, Berta has been immediately tasked with securing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Spain international famously turned down the chance to make the move to Liverpool last summer, but he is expected to leave at the end of this season, with a number of clubs interested in his signature.

Real Madrid appear to be Arsenal's main competition for the Euro 2024 winner, but it is understood that the Gunners are confident of winning the race for a player who has a £51m release clause in his contract.

Arsenal are said to be hopeful that Berta's expertise will help them get a deal over the line for Zubimendi, with the bulk of the framework already being completed, as the North London club view him as a priority signing this summer.

The 26-year-old has again been a vital player for La Real during the current season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and registering two assists in the process.

- Matt Law

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI'S EXPLANATION FOR SNUBBING LIVERPOOL AHEAD OF $62M TRANSFER YO ARSENAL

Arsenal is reportedly edging closer to completing a deal for midfielder Martin Zubimendi that would see the Real Sociedad star join the Gunners in the summer

Arsenal is reportedly close to landing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Spaniard was Liverpool's top transfer target last summer, with the Reds agreeing a deal with the La Liga side for Zubimendi, only for him to spurn their advances in order to stay in the Basque Country. However, just under half a year later, the 25-year-old looks potentially set for a move to the Premier League to join Liverpool's Premier League title rivals.

Initially reported by the Mail, Arsenal has been working on a deal to land Zubimendi since the summer, with Mikel Arteta keen on landing the Spanish midfielder. Zubimendi has a release fee clause of $61.9m (£51m/€60m), a figure Arsenal is willing to pay.

The Mail add the deal is "virtually completed", with Zubimendi likely to join Arsenal next summer. There had been no indication Liverpool would go back in for Zubimendi this month, especially given the performances of Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role this season.

Zubimendi turned Liverpool down last summer, and explained his decision for doing so to El Diario Vasco last month. "They were uncomfortable moments for me, because, as is normal, people talk a lot," Zubimendi said when asked about the talks surrounding his future last summer.

“But, anyway, you think about the pros and cons, thinking about it carefully, and you come to the conclusion that, well, for me the best thing was to stay at Real. Each one also looks at their personal progress a little. Because of who I am, the project, and the importance that I was going to have this year, I think that I still had steps to take at Real.