Martin Zubimendi has officially been announced as a new Arsenal player, ending the much-anticipated transfer saga, which appeared never-ending even after it was thought to be done and sealed.

It was initially reported that Arsenal had sealed a personal terms agreement with Zubimendi in January, and that he would be joining the Gunners this summer, when they pay his €60 million release clause to La Liga.

He was a target for Liverpool last summer, and the Reds believed they were as close as ever to landing him, but Zubi rejected the chance to move to Anfield, with several reports suggesting he was well aware of Arsenal's interest at the time.

Before the Spaniard touched down in London at the start of the month, there had been a host of speculations of Xabi Alonso trying to lure him to Real Madrid, so much that the 26-year-old was forced to interview to clear the air.

Although sources close to Los Blancos dismissed the speculation, branding it 'a lie as big as a castle', it would appear Zubimendi himself will care less, because he was always keen on a move to Arsenal, and a union with Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal boss has been a long-term admirer of his countryman, with whom he shares the same hometown of San Sebastian in the Basque Country, and like himself, played for Real Sociedad, one of the most prominent clubs in the community.

With the Arsenal boss finally getting hold of his primary transfer target, who is set to take the void left by Thomas Partey in the middle of the park, we take a look at the new man, what he possesses, and how he can impact the team ahead of another season of expectation.

Martín Zubimendi | A Mixture of Both Steel & Elegance

Arsenal’s latest midfielder embodies a hybrid role, the destructive breaker and the composed controller. The club even referenced it in his unveiling: collect, connect, control. These have perfectly described who Zubimendi is as a player.

The Destroyer (Collect)

The former Sociedad man is a ball-winning machine, although this is not so obvious to the eye, given his calm and non-intimidating physique. But the statistics do give him up as one.

Over the past three La Liga seasons, Zubimendi has won possession in the midfield third more times (322) than any other player.

He also totaled 112 for both interceptions and tackles combined in the previous La Liga season, second only to another player. With a tackling success rate of 82 percent, he ranks well above Arsenal's current midfielders.

These highlight his ability as a midfield predator, with a knack for regaining possession and breaking opposition play with timing and tenacity.

The Controller (Connect & Control)

As a controller, Zubimendi thrives in the rhythm of the game, dictating tempo with simplicity and intelligence.

He averaged over 44 passes per 90 minutes in the last La Liga season with an accuracy rate of 84.4%, including 6.4 progressive passes and 7.1 passes into the final third. His pass accuracy is something that will need improving, although Arsenal being a better team compared to Sociedad will make him more assured.

His ability to receive under pressure, scan, and redistribute calmly makes him a natural metronome at the base of midfield. He doesn’t just reclaim possession, he controls it, always positioning himself to be the link between defence and attack.

He is an elite ball carrier when he needs to be and possesses those scrumptious line-breaking passes, which will be an invaluable asset for Arsenal, who almost always force their opponents into low blocks. Xabi Alonso once said about him:

“He [Zubimendi] has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions, to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis.”

He possesses the kind of understated influence Arsenal have lacked in their midfield since the departure of a peak Santi Cazorla or Mikel Arteta himself. More like Jorginho and Thomas Partey rolled into one.

How He Compares to Thomas Partey

Arsenal relied so much on Thomas Partey in recent years. The majority of their best performances have come when the Ghanaian is available. It is necessary to compare how comforting it will be for Arsenal, getting on with another in his shoes.

Martin Zubimendi outperforms Partey in possession recoveries and interceptions. Partey is a powerful shield, but Zubi adds precision in transition and game tempo.

While Partey prefers to break the lines with explosive passes, Zubimendi builds them patiently, allowing smoother transitions with fewer risky turnovers. Although the former is more ambitious, the latter is more acceptable for a defensive midfield player.

Their strength in duels isn't far off from each other. Partey won eight more duels than Zubimendi's 164 in the league last season, but the new man won almost double the aerial duels, while also managing a far superior percentage completion.

Martin Zubimendi | A Winner

Despite playing for Real Sociedad in a league dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona, Martin Zubimendi boasts a Copa del Rey title with his former club, won in the 2019-20 campaign.

With the national team, he has become more established since last summer, following the injury to Rodri in the final of the European Championship against England.

Thrust into the team at halftime due to the inability of the Manchester City star to continue, Zubimendi integrated without disruption, earning plaudits for his calm, efficient play. Many called it the best performance of his career.

He finished the day on the winning side, while he had also claimed a UEFA Nations League title the year before. Zubimendi was part of the Spain side that lost in the final of this year's Nations League, scoring in a 3-2 defeat to Portugal.

Martin Zubimendi's Weaknesses

Limited long pass variety and progressive passing are the only weaknesses of the Spanish midfielder. Yet, these aren't major concerns given the way Arsenal plays.

His style of play also means he may struggle under quicker, more physical pressing systems like the Premier League, because of the risks of turnovers in tight spaces.

Overall, he is a perfect profile for Arteta's system, a metronome who collects possession, connects teammates, and controls the tempo of play.

The expectations will be very high from a player who rejected both Liverpool and Bayern Munich to wait for this move. Finally, he is here, and what remains is justification.

At Arsenal, Zubimendi is reunited with former teammates, Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, and will be expected to have all he needs to settle down and integrate himself into the mainstream in preseason, before the real battle kicks off in August.