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If there is one signing that has worked like an absolute charm for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side, it is Martin Zubimendi.
Not only has he helped so much with the defensive solidity that this team is so well-known for, he has completely solved their midfield problems from last season.
As a team, Arsenal's ball progression has improved tremendously since Zubimendi joined the club, and his passing, dribbling and off-ball movement have helped them escape pressure almost effortlessly. They are gelling so much more as a team now than they did a year ago, and that is down to Zubimendi's brilliance with and without the ball.
Martín Zubimendi notices a different mood around Arsenal this season
Not only that, but Arsenal look like legitimate contenders. They have for a few seasons now, but this time, it feels a bit different. Everything looks different, more focused, and Zubimendi agrees.
In a recent interview with the club alongside midfielder Mikel Merino, Zubimendi was asked about how the mentality is inside the team to win everything, and he gave a reply that will resonate a lot with the fans.
He said: "I would use the word ’resilience’. Ultimately, they’ve been close to achieving the goal for many years, and I think that instead of pressure, that’s become a motivation for everything that’s coming. Honestly I see the team more eager than ever. The coach, who’s been here for many years, more eager than ever. That’s what I’ve witnessed."
Those are just brilliant things to read about Arsenal if you are a fan. After so many years of disappointment, many managers and teams would fail to bring back the spark, and they will eventually start declining, slowly but surely.
This Arsenal side, though, has just been reallly fun to watch this season, and that is after the number of near-misses they have had with the Premier League title this decade.
Zubimendi was also asked about how Arteta is as a coach, which also shows how much that helps a player in their mission to improve and win everything they can.
He said: “I think he wants to take charge of every detail in the club. Whether it’s on the pitch, off the pitch, in the stands, in the stadium, what the team conveys. He’s very detail-oriented, and it really shows in what we do.”
Those are things you want from a manager who knows the entirety of the club as well as anyone.
Arteta is a really good coach, and he has a really good team. Together, they can achieve a lot this season, and Arsenal fans certainly hope that happens.