Such praise underlines why Arsenal have invested more than £50million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. With Jorginho and Thomas Partey departing, the club are overhauling the base of their midfield and they first started looking for a world-class No6 a year ago.

Arsenal sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a £51m deal; Spain international has signed a five-year contract after Arsenal agreed transfer in March; Real Madrid and Liverpool had been interested in Zubimendi;

M artin Zubimendi revealed that he “set his sights” on a move to Arsenal this summer, despite intense speculation surrounding a potential switch to Real Madrid.