Mikel Arteta will reportedly use his influence to help Arsenal sign a midfielder this summer to partner alongside Declan Rice.
The England international’s evolution in north London from a defensive-minded midfielder to a no. 8 has been one of the revelations of the season for Arsenal, with Rice enjoying his most productive year ever as a professional.
Seven goals and ten assists in all competitions is quite the return for the £105m summer signing, with Rice proving to be an incredible fit for Arsenal in their bid this season to win the Premier League title.
And this year could see Arteta use his influence to sign a partner for Rice.
Arteta to target Martin Zubimendi in plan to complete Arsenal’s midfield
According to journalist Dean Jones, Arteta is hopeful his pull can be a ‘key factor’ in Arsenal’s bid to sign Martin Zubimendi, who if captured could be used to replace the likes of Thomas Partey and Jorginho in the no. 6 role.
Lauded by Kieran Tierney as a ‘world-class’ midfielder, Zubimendi has emerged as one of the most exciting players in La Liga having guided Real Sociedad to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 earlier this season.
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And for Arteta and Rice, the Spanish maestro could be exactly who Arsenal need to complete their midfield alongside Martin Odegaard, who this season has again been magnificent in the centre of the park for the Gunners.
Indeed, signing a long-term no. 6 is all that is missing from Arteta’s midfield to make it as perfect as it can possibly be, and Zubimendi could be that player to star alongside Rice and Odegaard for years to come.
Arteta could work fast this summer to sign Zubimendi
Arteta is a manager who has shown that when he is set on a player, he is willing to play the long game, with David Raya the best example given how long the Gunners were linked with the on-loan Brentford goalkeeper.
And with Zubimendi clearly a player Arteta is a fan of, work could be done quickly to bring the Sociedad midfielder to north London, with all signs suggesting that a new midfielder will be signed first for Arsenal.
With a set release clause, the work put in to sign Zubimendi could be quick and painless for the Gunners, and the Spaniard could be brought in way before Arsenal jet out to the United States for pre-season.