When it happens once, it’s like any other transfer move. When it happens again, you could probably file it under coincidence. However, when it happens for the third time, we ought to say there is a pattern.Martin Zubimendi has officially joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad on Sunday, thus becoming the third player to follow the same path after Martin Odegaard (in truth, he was a Real Madrid player at the time on loan at Sociedad before arriving at the Emirates) and Mikel Merino.This profound connection between the Gunners and the La Liga side has again proved itself. Controlling the tempo.Martin Zubimendi is a Gunner ✊Original music by Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso. pic.twitter.com/sYbDanRUnT— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2025 The 26-year-old deep-lying midfielder, who previously made 236 appearances for Sociedad, has signed a five-year deal for £60m.”This is a huge moment in my career,” said Zubimendi. “It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.”I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”Interestingly, there’s one more – and quite an important – name that connects the red and white London dots with the blue and white San Sebastian (the home of Real Sociedad) dots. It’s none other than Mikel Arteta.Arteta in action during his Sociedad spell (©REUTERS/ Pablo Sanchez/File)Arsenal boss spent one season of his career as a senior player of Real Sociedad back in the 2004/05 campaign, but his short stint in the hometown didn’t unfold the way he was hoping. Arteta failed to establish himself in the team, starting only three league matches before moving to Everton on loan at the halfway point of the season.Talking today about his compatriot Zubimendi, Arteta showed how much he believes in him.”Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arteta before adding:”He will fit in really well and has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us.”##NAJAVA_MECA_9004608##
