Quite understandably, there is a lot of hype around Max Dowman after the teenager put in another excellent performance off the bench against Newcastle in Arsenal’s 3-2 friendly win at the weekend.
However, there was another midfielder who impressed supporters after starting his first game for his new club. Martin Zubimendi lasted 77 minutes against the Magpies, and the vast majority of fans on X were delighted with how he played:
Massive signing for us this one 👏
— Dre Cardi (@dre_cardi) July 27, 2025
This guy was born to be a Regista. Proper baller.
— Adedoyin (@Kamalistyping) July 27, 2025
Already changing my life and i didnt even want him ffs
— 🤫👈 (@leefussball_V3) July 27, 2025
Wins the ball so much
— Iyanda of Unilorin (@O1anrewaju) July 27, 2025
Wow!
— Gerald (@TcheadyG) July 27, 2025
What a player
— 🪦 (@saykuchnhi) July 27, 2025
He is playing like he has being playing for us for a long time
— Alabbey (@alabbeynani) July 27, 2025
Proper midfield maestro
— JJ (@JJ_AFC14) July 27, 2025
Zubimendi could hit the ground running
It does look like the 26-year-old won’t have any trouble adapting to his new club. He has looked very comfortable in Mikel Arteta’s system, playing as a holding midfield player.
Of course, it is one thing doing it in a friendly and quite another in a Premier League fixture. The first match will be against Manchester United at Old Trafford in three weeks’ time so it will be a stern test.
Arsenal have plenty of options in the middle of the park
With Dowman seemingly poised to set the league alight, and Zubimendi in good form, Arteta has some good selection headaches.
Declan Rice, Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz are also vying for one of three positions in midfield. Eberechi Eze could even be added to the mix before the end of the transfer window.
In other news, Arsenal are told that a 15-year-old “has everything” to be a star
