Martin Zubimendi may be fresh-faced at Arsenal, but he’s already being frank about who has caught his eye at the club—and his praise isn’t modest.
Odegaard: “100% focused”
Upon arriving at Arsenal, Zubimendi didn’t mince words when asked about his fellow players. One name stood out immediately: Martin Odegaard. Having joined from Real Sociedad in the past, Odegaard’s presence made a lasting impression.
> “Apart from how hard Martin works on the pitch, I was surprised by how much he works off the pitch at the gym. He is 100 % focused on his fitness.”
This high praise for discipline and dedication underscores not only Odegaard’s quality as a midfielder, but also Zubimendi’s admiration for professionalism—a foundational trait in the top echelons of the sport.
The second teammate he named? Mikel Merino—the unparalleled familiar face who shares not only history but also a profound connection with Zubimendi.
“We’ve played many games together,” Zubimendi said, reflecting on their deep-rooted chemistry from years at Real Sociedad. That familiarity, he emphasized, will make his adaptation much smoother.
Merino, endorsing the reunion, echoed that excitement: “It has to be my teammate, Martin Zubimendi… hopefully everything goes great for him.”
What it means for Arsenal
Zubimendi’s endorsements of Odegaard and Merino go beyond friendship—they highlight two strong pillars around whom Mikel Arteta is building his midfield.
Odegaard’s killer mentality both in games and in the gym sets a professional tone within the squad. His dedication to fitness reflects what every Arsenal player aspires to be—focused, driven, and consistently improving.
Merino, on the other hand, offers both talent and empathy. Having shared countless minutes on the pitch (169 together, in fact, amounting to over 11,000 game minutes) , Merino understands Zubimendi’s playstyle intrinsically. This bond is set to become a crucial ally for Zubimendi’s transition into English football.
A winning partnership in the making
When Zubimendi describes Odegaard’s commitment and Merino’s supportive presence, he’s essentially signaling the start of a powerful midfield synergy.
Odegaard as the work-rate leader sets the tone: persistent, physically primed, and standards-driven.
Merino as the familiar anchor provides stability, comfort, and group cohesion—especially valuable during pre-season and early integration.
For Arsenal, having these two highly respected figures welcomed and endorsed by their newest midfielder can only deepen the sense of unity in what is quickly forming into a formidable project.
In just a few remarks, Zubimendi has gone a long way toward defining his Arsenal identity—not just as a technical No. 6, but as a player who values dedication and camaraderie.
His words paint a vivid picture: two teammates who embody excellence, both as workers and as guardians of team spirit. It’s the kind of foundation from which great campaigns are built—and Arsenal appear well on their way.
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