Arsenal reveal Martin Zubimendi shirt number after £51m transfer announced | OneFootball

Spain midfielder arrives at the Emirates Stadium from Real Sociedad on a five-year contract

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Arsenal have quickly confirmed Martin Zubimendi’s shirt number at the club after the completion of his long-awaited transfer from Real Sociedad.

The Spain midfielder officially joined the Gunners on Sunday after seeing the £51million release clause in his contract at Anoeta triggered.

Such a move had been in the offing for several months having first been reported back in January, though Real Madrid are believed to have shown late interest in hijacking Arsenal’s swoop for Zubimendi after appointing Sociedad legend Xabi Alonso as their new manager to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.

“This is a huge moment in my career,” Zubimendi said. “It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.

“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”

Zubimendi - who turned down a move to Liverpool last summer - will take the No36 shirt at Arsenal, which had previously belong to young goalkeeper Tommy Setford and has also been worn by the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Ismael Bennacer, Johan Djourou and Jermaine Pennant over the last two decades.

Spain midfielder Zubimendi will wear the No36 shirt at Arsenal

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

He had the same number at Sociedad between 2018/19 and 2020/21, initially moving to No3 before wearing No4 over the past two seasons. He wears No18 for the Spanish national team.

Kepa and Zubimendi will not be the only arrivals at Arsenal this summer as Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta target several other key additions, including the signing of a top new winger and striker.

The Gunners are believed to be moving for Noni Madueke at Chelsea, who in turn are being linked with Ethan Nwaneri, and also retain interest in Rodrygo at Real Madrid and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.

Reports suggest they are now edging closer to a deal for prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres rather than RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, while they have also held talks with Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winning hero Eberechi Eze.

Defensive reinforcements are also being targeted by Arteta, with Arsenal trying to strike a deal with Valencia for 21-year-old Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.