Still buzzing…just need this confirmed now! 
1 Like
1 min in all basic stuff, realised the video was 15 mins long and decided to make this post slagging it off instead.
This doesn’t make sense for the rumoured clause, Partey playing like he does, just extend him, and centre midfield being Lewis-Skelly’s actual position.
Feels like another wasted transfer fee.
That was my first though too but they’ve chased him relentlessly and now it’s done
Really hope he is far better than the player I currently see him as
2 Likes
Real (Alonso) and Liverpool chased him badly as well. Clearly he’s got something.
Let’s hope he maximizes that potential at Arsenal.
3 Likes
Excellent video from Statman Dave…good analysis of what Zubimendi is going to bring to Arsenal. @Darkseid worth a watch given a couple of comments at the end about your G 
It’s not about him having something or not. He probably has. But you just know invested €60 million means we are probably not signing a left winger and striker. Or it has to be another cheap Sterling signing in addition to a big signing.
I don’t think that’s the case. We kept our powder dry in January and last summer was relatively quiet too—clearly with the intention of going big this window. That’s been echoed plenty of times by people like Ornstein.
At the very least, I’m expecting a big-name striker to come in, alongside Zubimendi.
Hopefully we add a left-winger and a goalkeeper (we kinda have to) to that list.
2 Likes
I get the concerns tbf. We’ve been looking at forwards for years now and for various reasons we either didn’t get our priority targets or ended up not addressing the position at all.
Jesus is really the only forward that was #1 priority at the time that we actually managed to sign.
However, I am hopeful we’ll address both positions adequately this summer.
It’s strange for a manager with so little quality upfront to spend so much money on every other position but ignore the glaring holes in our attack.
Like you say, the only first team attacking player Arteta has bought since he’s been here is Jesus because although other signings play upfront, Havertz and Merino are both midfielders, Trossard was bought as a squad player.
Most managers with the sort of budget Arteta has had, would focus more on the lack of attacking quality but it seems Arteta is obsessed with more defensive players.
We are desperate for game changers and as good as Zubimendi might be, he isn’t that.
1 Like
Out of interest, since Jesus have we put in a single bid for an actual striker to join us? I can’t think of any besides the Mudryk/Trossard saga.
Let us not forget willian 
1 Like
Vlahovic
Sesko
Watkins
1 Like
Not a very impressive list lol
2 Likes
Was he our first target? I could have been wrong on it being Jesus because there was a race for Willian at the time.
He came off his best season at Chelsea when we signed him.
Replace “winger and striker” for attacking midfielder and I would share that concern, as I’m still not convinced about Rice’s attacking qualities. I saw Reijnders being linked to city on the BBC gossip page today (ref Telegraph) and the figure looks very attractive! I expect the other two positions will be recruited.
Last summer, we only bought Merino into our midfield. We sold ESR and loaned Merino. That’s no investment net.
This summer, Jorginho leaves, Zinny (I know he’s a defender most of the time) and Fabio are sold. 30 - 40m. A 60m outlay on Zubimendi isn’t crazy.
Concerns around this signing seem to stem more from the idea there’s an opportunity cost to land the most pressing signings in the front 3. But the club have been proactive with this move tbh. Partey has been our most consistent midfielder this season but he’s getting on and his body & performances can break down eventually.
It’s a tough position to get right because you’re essentially wanting both deep playmaking ability, control etc alongside excellent defensive positioning and good physicality. That’s why Partey was such a coup really as he has provided all of that since being here. Rice excels defensively but his skillset seems to be more effective as a box to box.
Zubimendi is a potentially excellent profile for the 6 as the playmaking aspect is clearly there and seems to have impressed a lot of clubs on his defensive work too.
It’s a big jump to Premier League but it makes perfect sense bringing in a successor now and boosting the midfield. Attack isn’t just going to be solved by final third pieces… need the creativity bolstered in midfield too.
5 Likes
I think if Partey is staying, he’ll likely start next season as first choice ahead of Zubimendi with a view to transitioning the new man into first choice when he’s ready.
Or Partey will get injured and the process will get fast tracked.
2 Likes