Martin Zubimendi has been unveiled as an Arsenal player (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, with the midfielder saying the Gunners’ style of play attracting him to the Emirates. The long-awaited move was finally announced on Sunday, with the 26-year-old expected to sign for Arsenal for some months. That was despite interest from Real Madrid, who tried to beat the Gunners to the Spain international, but ultimately failed to persuade him to stay in Spain. New Real boss Xabi Alonso is a big fan of the midfielder, having worked with him at Real Sociedad when he was in charge of the B team from 2019-22. Zubimendi, who had the chance to join Liverpool last summer but turned it down, says it is the way Arsenal play under Mikel Arteta that has brought him to the club. ‘This is a huge moment in my career,’ he said. ‘It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. ‘I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.’ Controlling the tempo.Martin Zubimendi is a Gunner ✊Original music by Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso. pic.twitter.com/sYbDanRUnT— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2025 Zubimendi had a release clause in his Real Sociedad contract set at £51m, but Arsenal have reportedly paid slightly more than that in order to held fend off the interest from Real Madrid. The Gunners did well to tempt the Spanish star to north London as he previously described Real Madrid boss Alonso as his idol. ‘I’ve always said that he was my idol and that for me it was a stroke of luck that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year,’ he said earlier this year. Speaking of his new signing, Arteta said: ‘Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us. ‘The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club.’ Zubimendi alongside Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta (Picture: Getty Images) Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, said: ‘We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has. ‘We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.’ There is significant change to Arsenal’s squad this summer, specifically in midfield, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey leaving and Zubimendi expected to be joined by Christian Norgaard as a new arrival. Christian Norgaard is expected to swap Brentford for Arsenal this summer (Picture: Getty Images) The Brentford captain is set to arrive in a deal that could be worth up to £15m and is expected to act as back-up to a first choice pairing in central midfield of Zubimendi and Declan Rice. In a big summer in the transfer market, Arsenal are also expected to sign a centre-forward and a winger, while they have separately been linked with Crystal Palace and England star Eberechi Eze. Chelsea’s Noni Madueke could be a new arrival on the wing, while Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres appears to be the most likely new addition up front. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday that an agreement has been made between Arsenal and the Swedish striker, but the two clubs are yet to strike a deal on the fee.