How Arsenal beat Real Madrid to Martin Zubimendi, and why Xabi Alonso still wanted him

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Real Madrid’s interest in Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer transfer window wasn’t exactly a secret.

There was a sense that Zubimendi might have been waiting on a call from Real, but when Mikel Arteta got in touch, his decision was straightforward.

Even with Real Madrid’s intent to get the deal done, Zubimendi had his sights set on Arsenal and didn’t hesitate to make it clear.

Since joining from Real Sociedad for £51m, he’s helped Arsenal push forward, while things haven’t quite come together for Real Madrid since then.

Xabi Alonso was keen on bringing Martin Zubimendi to Real Madrid

Five months have passed since Zubimendi made the switch to Arsenal, yet his name still pops up around Madrid.

His performances in England are hard for Xabi Alonso to ignore, and it’s becoming clear just how much he wanted the 26-year-old in his side.

Writing in a column for the BBC, Guillem Balague explained what made Zubimendi such an appealing option for Alonso. He noted that the Real boss felt “Madrid lack a midfielder who can give them rhythm and organisation.”

According to Balague, missing out on the Arsenal midfielder forced Alonso into some tactical adjustments. The manager wanted a team built around short, patient passing—qualities he believed Zubimendi could deliver.

It’s not often you see Real Madrid longing for a player who chose Arsenal instead, but given how well Zubimendi has settled into north London, it’s easy to see why they’re still interested.

Zubimendi has hit the ground running in the Premier League

If Arsenal hadn’t signed Zubimendi, it’s likely they’d be feeling the same frustration that Alonso is experiencing at Real Madrid right now.

It’s easy to see why Alonso was drawn to him. When you’re looking for a midfielder who can control the tempo and pick out passes, Zubimendi stands out.

He’s already established himself as one of the best passers in the Premier League and has settled into English football quickly.

Zubimendi has become so important that it’s hard to picture how Arsenal would function without him. His summer arrival is looking more crucial with each passing week.