Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville thinks Martin Zubimendi could end up being “just as important a signing” for Arsenal as Viktor Gyokeres.

For several years now, fans and pundits alike have been beating the drum for the club to sign a new No.9, but Neville says Zubimendi could be equally integral to the club’s success going forward:

“I actually thought he was as important a signing as Gyokeres because I think that when I saw Arsenal last season, I actually thought there were moments where Jorginho played where he just pops those balls through lines.”

“It’s interesting how Declan Rice is now being used by Mikel Arteta but also by Thomas Tuchel in that advanced role. I think that’s where Declan Rice should be, up at the top of the pitch, not receiving it off his back four.”

“That’s not to say he can’t do it in certain matches, but Zubimendi, I thought they really needed that type of player Arsenal to receive the ball in there and then pop it through into Odegaard quicker, get it forward quicker, break the lines.”

Zubimendi showed what he can do at the weekend

The 26-year-old got himself a brace during the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. He opened the scoring on Saturday with a delightful volley before putting away a header for Arsenal’s third.

Arteta clearly agrees with Neville about Zubimendi’s importance to the team. Since his £60m move from Real Sociedad, the Spanish international has played the full 90 minutes in all 4 of the Gunners’ games.

Arsenal have so much depth in midfield

There are currently eight members of the first-team squad who can be deployed in the middle of the park. In addition to Zubimendi, the likes of Declan Rice, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino can play as the holding midfielders.

In terms of the no.10 position, Arteta has the luxury of choosing between captain Martin Odegaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze and Max Dowman. That depth should hold them in good stead as the club attempts to mount another title challenge.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here