Zubiemendi’s form led to reports that Real Madrid, managed by Xabi Alonso, might try to hijack the move.
And the appeal could have been great with Alonso having come through the same youth team — Antiguoko — as Zubimendi, as well as also playing for Real Sociedad and Spain in the same number six position.
But Zubimendi was set on Arsenal, where he is likely to take the position previously occupied by Thomas Partey.
Partey’s Arsenal contract expired last Monday. He was charged on Thursday with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all of which he denies.
The Ghana international, 32, played 35 Premier League games for Arsenal last season — mostly in central midfield. Jorginho, who has left the club and joined Flamengo, started nine.
While Zubimendi is expected to replace Partey in the Gunners team, another contender will be Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard, who is set to join from Brentford.
Ramajo said: «One of Zubimendi’s dreams is to play in the United Kingdom, as a true Premier League fan. And if he’s going to leave the club of his life, it’s better to fulfil a dream.
«[At Arsenal] he won’t have the absurd pressure he’d be under if he stayed in La Liga, where they’d scrutinise everything he did.»
Ghana international Partey, 32, played 35 Premier League games for Arsenal last season — mostly in central midfield. Jorginho, who has left the club and joined Flamengo, started nine.
While Partey drifted to the right side more for Arsenal (albeit including games at right-back), Zubimendi tended to go both ways — but more towards the left.
Rice played in the number six role for West Ham but usually appears further forward for Arsenal in a midfield three with Odegaard.
And Zubimendi’s signing might free him up even more — with the Basque having better mobility than Partey, plus his focus on defending.
The Spaniard was more involved in his own half than Partey last season, with 56% of touches to Partey’s 48%.
And only 27% of his passes ended up in the final third, compared with 32% of Partey’s.
But Ramajo said: «He’s a player capable of coming out from the back very neatly, able to break pressure lines with inside passes and with courageous skills, because Zubimendi is above all a forward-moving player.
«And he has an important quality — he’s better with better team-mates around him, and he’s also capable of improving them.
«I think his style can quickly adapt to the needs of the Premier League, and it can help him establish himself definitively among the elite of our continent’s most important players.»
Arsenal will hope their summer spending is not finished yet, with a proper striker on the agenda — which could also affect how their midfielders play.
A version of this article was first published on 17 June 2025
