Martín Zubimendi has offered Arsenal a timely boost before a huge week, saying he has become a different player since joining from Real Sociedad. His comments land with Arsenal top of the Premier League on 76 points from 35 matches, while the wider picture is getting more complicated after Liverpool reportedly renewed interest in Bradley Barcola.
What Zubimendi's comments say about his first Arsenal season
Zubimendi's line on his development was striking because it matched what Arsenal's season already shows. Speaking to football.london, he said: "Once I joined the club I realised that I had a lot to learn; Mikel’s a coach who's seen a lot, who's learnt a lot and who's studied a lot. You can see that since I've joined the club I've become a different player. We work really hard, all of our training sessions have tactical, technical and strategic aspects. Repetition leads to perfection, and that's what we're trying to achieve."
That reads well for Arsenal, but it also fits the numbers. Zubimendi is the only outfield player to have featured in every Premier League match for Arsenal this season, a run that puts him on 35 league appearances from 35 matches. In a title race, availability matters almost as much as quality, and he has provided both.
His 7.1 Premier League rating suggests he has not just filled minutes. He has also added six goals across the season, his best return in a campaign to date. The brief does not support turning that into a grand reinvention, but it does support a simple point: Arsenal signed a midfielder who has become dependable very quickly.
There is still tension around the table, even if Arsenal sit first. They are top with 76 points from 35 matches and lead by six points, but Manchester City have two games in hand. So this is not title-won territory, it is title-run-in territory, and players who can be trusted every week become even more valuable in that setting.
Why Arsenal's week is not just about the title race
The internal story is positive. The external one looks messier.
According to the brief, Liverpool have re-entered the race for Barcola, a player Arsenal have also been linked with. That does not mean a transfer is close, and it definitely does not mean Paris Saint Germain have decided to sell. But it does suggest Arsenal may not get a clean run at one of the more attractive attacking options in the market.
Barcola's output explains the interest. The verified stats pack lists 12 goals and seven assists this season, numbers that make him a credible target for clubs trying to add top-end attacking quality. The brief also says Liverpool rejected approaches from PSG in March before returning to the Barcola picture, which adds another layer to what already looked like a competitive chase.
From Arsenal's point of view, that subplot matters because it arrives at a moment when the club's current team is giving them every reason to think bigger. Zubimendi's first season has been stable, productive and tactically demanding, exactly the sort of profile Arsenal need more of if they are going to stay where they are. If the Barcola pursuit turns into a two-club fight, Arsenal will be selling more than minutes and wages. They will be selling a setup that one of their own midfielders now says has changed him.
What comes next for Arsenal and Zubimendi
Arsenal's immediate priority is obvious: protect top spot and deal with the pressure of a run-in where City still have games in hand. Zubimendi's role in that is already clear after 35 league appearances and six goals in all competitions.
The Barcola situation is less settled. Liverpool's renewed interest may become a genuine problem for Arsenal this summer, or it may stay where it is now, as strong market noise around a talented 23-year-old attacker with 12 goals and seven assists. For now, Arsenal have one firm positive in front of them: Martín Zubimendi believes the move has improved him, and the season gives that claim plenty of support.
FAQ
Why does Martin Zubimendi say Arsenal has changed him?
Zubimendi said he realised he had a lot to learn after joining Arsenal and credited Mikel Arteta's coaching and the team's tactical, technical and strategic training work. He said he has become a different player since arriving, and his season backs that up with 35 Premier League appearances and six goals across all competitions.
How important has Martin Zubimendi been for Arsenal this season?
He has been central to Arsenal's season. Zubimendi is the only outfield player to feature in every Premier League match for the club, with 35 appearances and a 7.1 league rating. Arsenal are top of the table on 76 points from 35 matches, so his consistency has come in a genuine title race.
Are Liverpool trying to sign Bradley Barcola instead of Arsenal?
The reporting in the brief says Liverpool have renewed interest in Bradley Barcola, which could create competition for Arsenal in the summer. It does not mean Liverpool are definitely signing him or that Paris Saint Germain have agreed to sell. The current picture is renewed interest, not a completed deal.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
