Martin Zubimendi may take unique shirt number at Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi is soon to be officially confirmed as an Arsenal player and he may be taking on a unique shirt number in north London.

Following multiple rumours heading into the weekend Zubimendi was in London to formalise his move to the Gunners, journalist Charles Watts reported on his YouTube channel that the Spaniard is set to wear the number 36 for Mikel Arteta's side. He acknowledged that he couldn't confirm the rumour with absolute certainty, but was pretty convinced they are the digits Zubimendi will don in red and white.

It's a number that holds exclusive company, with only 11 players having worn it for Arsenal and it appears Zubimendi will become the latest to do so with there being a significant reason why he will.

Martin Zubimendi could take unique shirt number at Arsenal

If the rumours are true, Zubimendi's unique choice has a significant and deeper meaning behind it. The number 36 was what he was allocated when he first broke into Real Sociedad's first team during the 2018/19 season before eventually switching to three and later four.

He donned the number four shirt for Sociedad throughout two campaigns before his impending move to Arsenal. Zubimendi would have been unable to take that number in red and white however, with Ben White already laying claim to it.

The 18-cap Spain international could have taken the number three shirt for the Gunners after it was vacated by Kieran Tierney, but that is an unusual digit for a midfielder to possess so he likely opted against it.

Until the signing of Declan Rice, who took 41 upon his arrival, Arsenal have tended to keep first team members' numbers below 35. Only 11 players have worn the 36 shirt for the Gunners, with most being from the academy.

Libyan international Jehad Muntasser was the first Arsenal player to don the digits during a brief spell in north London during the late 90s. He was followed by Brian McGovern, Jermaine Pennant, John Halls, Johan Djourou, Mark Randall, Thomas Cruise (no, not him), Emiliano Martinez and Ismael Bennacer.

Tommy Setford is the latest to wear the number, doing so last season as he made one appearance for the first team during his debut year. It would seem he will be stripped of that however, if Zubimendi is to take the shirt, but that could mean an official promotion to the first team.

Charles Watts joked about the response to the news he shared, reminding fans that it wasn't completely certain Zubimendi would be wearing number 36. It will be interesting if he does take it, but maybe anyone wanting to represent the Spaniard should hold off on buying a kit until the official announcement is made.

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