Europe’s elite had registered their interest. Real Madrid tried to swoop in. But Martin Zubimendi was always going to be an Arsenal player.

The 26-year-old midfield maestro has penned a five-year contract with the north London club for £51million following a battle of sorts to seize him.

Liverpool tried to lure the Spaniard away from Real Sociedad last summer after he had indicated interest of a move.

It has come to light that Arsenal initially reached out to Real Sociedad about signing both Mikel Merino and Zubimendi last summer. However, given that the Spanish club couldn’t afford to lose both players simultaneously, Arsenal proposed purchasing Merino immediately and then returning for Zubimendi in the subsequent summer transfer window.

The transfer arrangement was solidified in March, marking Arsenal’s acquisition of the defensive midfielder as a significant achievement. As reported by Mail Sport in January, Arsenal had all but finalized a £51 million agreement for Zubimendi, but Real Sociedad was unwilling to proceed with the sale until the season’s conclusion.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of midfield maestro Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Other elite clubs in Europe were interested but Mikel Arteta was always going to land his man

Press resistant and astute at tackling, Zubimendi is the answer to Arsenal’s problem at No 6

The official announcement on Sunday marks the end of a prolonged transfer saga, providing Arsenal fans with something to cheer about, especially after witnessing their league rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, already spend over £200 million and £100 million, respectively, in this transfer window.

The Gunners midfield was already strong, but will now go into next season redefined as one of the most envied across the league – and form the basis of their latest title challenge.

Zubimendi is born and bred in San Sebastian, Spain, the same area as his boss Mikel Arteta. They both played for Real Sociedad – and even started out at the same youth club, Antiguoko. The link invariably helped, both forming an instant and strong connection.

He will also reunite with former Real Sociedad team-mates Martin Odegaard and Merino. Merino is said to have put a good word in about his old mate.

So, why were Arsenal always so keen on Zubimendi? For starters, he is both the answer to their No 6 conundrum and Man City’s Rodri.

It’s an area which Arteta has often struggled to properly pin down since Granit Xhaka’s departure in July 2023. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz arrived in that summer, with both expected to compete for a place in a midfield three alongside Odegaard.

Rice played in the No 6 role for West Ham but has enjoyed a more advanced role in midfield, particularly last season where he stepped up with goals in crunch matches such as his free-kick brace in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.

Havertz, meanwhile, struggled to shine in midfield and was soon moved to centre forward where has he flourished, leaving Thomas Partey to often occupy the base of the midfield.

Both Real Madrid and Manchester City had eyed up Zubimendi but lost out to Arsenal

Zubimendi has an ability to receive the ball while under intense pressure – a quality that will serve him well in the high-octane Premier League

Declan Rice played deeper for West Ham but has enjoyed a more advanced role in midfield

With Partey having left the club, Zubimendi will now play this role – but in a different way. His inclusion will arguably give Rice even more freedom to roam forward and both impact and connect play in the final third, which is an intriguing prospect.

But compared to Partey and Jorginho, he has better mobility, is more press resistant and equally astute in tackling. Arsenal last season struggled to break down defences which were camped in their own half on a regular basis, banking on breaking through off counter-attacks.

Yet Zubimendi has an ability to receive the ball while under intense pressure from opposition players and confidently keep hold of it, and play quick passes between team-mates.

In last season’s La Liga, he ranked in the top five of central midfielders for successful passes, successful long passes, progressive passes, touches, tackles, interceptions, aerial duels won and distance of completed upfield passes. In essence, he is in prime position to become Arsenal’s version of Rodri.

Real Sociedad generally play from the back through short, risky passes, with Zubimendi often the receiver, picking up the ball while facing his own goal. He was, and will likely continue to be, the cog between the defence and midfield as the deepest player of a midfield three.

When Liverpool came calling, Zubimendi, a keen mountain climber, was shown pictures of Mount Urgull, one of several peaks he likes to hike up in the area.

That waspish ability to pass, pass and pass typifies a man who is said to be humble and hard working. He grew up in San Sebastian, a charming coastal city between the Urgull and Igeldo mountains, rising through the Real Sociedad reserve teams from the age of 12.

He shone against players three or four years older than himself, before becoming an integral first-team starter, playing more minutes than any other outfield player for the La Liga side across the last three seasons.

Zubimendi is in prime position to become Arsenal’s version of Ballon d’Or-winning Rodri

There was no drop in quality when Zubimendi replaced Rodri during the Euro 2024 final

Zubimendi’s arrival may just be the signing that reignites Arsenal’s title challenge once again

His real moment of shine to a more global audience was arguably when he came on for an injured Rodri at half-time of Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England in Germany.

The midfielder got stuck into challenges and zipped passes through the lines to drive Spain forward in their 2-1 victory. Crucially, there didn’t appear to be a drop off in light of Rodri’s departure, just sheer quality.

Zubimendi’s arrival may just be the signing that reignites Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge once again – and leave both Liverpool and Man City ruing their missed opportunity.