Latest news with #Zubimendi
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How to watch Arsenal vs AC Milan live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal face Italian giants AC Milan in Singapore on Wednesday, as the Gunners kick off their tour of Asia with plenty of new faces and expectations are sky-high ahead of the new season. MORE — Full list of ins and outs at all 20 Premier League clubs Arsenal have already signed Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard ahead of the new campaign, with Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera rumored to be arriving soon too as new sporting director Andrea Berta has been busy. After three-straight second place finishes in the Premier League and losing in the Champions League semifinals to eventual winners PSG last season, Arteta knows his Arsenal side must deliver silverware this season. That quest beings properly now as they face Milan, Newcastle and Spurs in the next 10 days in friendlies, and Arsenal are ready to take that final step. Can they do it? AC Milan are coming off a hugely disappointing season in Serie A as they finished in eight place and failed to qualify for Europe as a late-season surge wasn't enough to salvage a woeful campaign. Christian Pulisic is Milan's star attacking talent and the USMNT winger is fresh and fit after he asked to not be selected for the Gold Cup this summer. Massimiliano Allegri is now AC Milan's manager and they have added veteran Luka Modric in midfield this summer as they aim to turn things around quickly and get back into the Champions League, at the very least. How to watch Arsenal vs AC Milan live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7:30am ET Wednesday (July 23) Venue: Singapore National Stadium — Singapore TV Channel, Streaming: Paramount+ in USA Arsenal team news, focus Norgaard, Kepa and Zubimendi are all in line to make their Arsenal debuts, while Madueke is still recovering after playing his part in Chelsea's Club World Cup campaign before signing for Arsenal and will train with his new team when they return to the UK. The only injury absentee is Gabriel Jesus as he continues to recover from his ACL injury last season. Kai Havertz will be up top and it will be intriguing to see how new signing Zubimendi slots in to midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. AC Milan team news, focus Pulisic was Milan's top goalscorer last season and both he and Rafael Leao give AC Milan something special in attack. Modric's arrival seems like it will be crucial as the veteran midfielder will dictate the tempo of the game and bring back some much-needed control. Milan massively underperformed last season but new manager Allegri will tighten them up defensively and they will be dangerous on the counter. Arsenal vs AC Milan prediction It's tough to predict how a preseason game will go but I think we can safely say there will be plenty of goals and Arsenal will probably prevail. Arsenal 4-2 AC Milan.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Robbie Lyle Hails Arsenal's 'Real Coup' in Martin Zubimendi Deal
Arsenal Secure Zubimendi: Lyle Says 'Outstanding Planning and Execution' Arsenal Land Midfield Maestro Martin Zubimendi In a move hailed as 'a real coup for Arsenal,' AFTV's Robbie Lyle confirmed that Martin Zubimendi has officially joined the North London club. After years of speculation and transfer links, the Spanish international signs on what Lyle calls 'Arsenal's first really major signing of the summer transfer window.' Advertisement The 26-year-old joins from Real Sociedad, where he has become a mainstay in both La Liga and the Spanish national team. As Robbie Lyle put it, 'He is going to be the guy coming in that defensive midfielder,' slotting into a midfield already boasting Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. Persistence Over Flash: Arsenal's Tactical Patience This deal was not born overnight. 'Arsenal have been linked with Martin Zubimendi now for the past couple of years,' Lyle reminded viewers. The groundwork was laid long before the transfer window opened. According to Lyle, 'It's said that this deal was almost sorted out in January and ready to be done in the summer. He'd given Arsenal an agreement that I am going to join.' Advertisement That preparation paid off, especially when Real Madrid entered the fray. Lyle recalled Madrid's typical manoeuvring: 'They tried their usual tactics, putting it in the Marca newspaper on the front page.' Despite this, Zubimendi remained committed. 'Arsenal were really really relaxed when all the noise was going on,' Lyle emphasised. Robbie credited the club's negotiation strategy: 'Arsenal have paid a bit extra instead of just the actual release clause so that they can pay it in instalments.' This allows for further acquisitions without jeopardising financial flexibility. Player with Balance and Brilliance The Gunners have acquired more than a ball-winner. Lyle was quick to praise Zubimendi's footballing IQ: 'He's been compared over in Spain to Sergio Busquets… difficult to get the ball off him, keeps it simple, keeps it ticking along.' Advertisement On the technical side, Zubimendi has it all. 'He's good at dribbling and carrying the ball… technically a really really gifted player,' Lyle stated. But his defensive instincts haven't gone unnoticed either. 'The ability to screen the defence, that ability to see danger and to be in the right place at the right time,' make him ideal for Mikel Arteta's tactical demands. Photo IMAGO With both Thomas Partey and Jorginho departed, Lyle acknowledged the vacuum left behind, saying: 'Zubimendi will be that main guy in midfield.' Fans can expect to see Christian Nørgaard arriving as support, but the anchor role is Zubimendi's to own. Advertisement Midfield Trio to Challenge the League Lyle's excitement was palpable: 'That midfield with Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice… this is some serious quality.' With Ødegaard pushing forward and Rice box-to-box, the addition of a defensively adept and technically sound holding midfielder gives Arteta's side the balance it has long needed. Importantly, Zubimendi's pedigree is beyond dispute. 'He's won the Euros with Spain… he played in the final,' Lyle highlighted, before concluding: 'This is a really really fantastic signing.' Conclusion Arsenal's ability to lock down a player sought by Real Madrid and Liverpool demonstrates the club's evolving stature in the European market. Zubimendi's arrival marks not just a tactical upgrade but a signal of serious intent. 'Outstanding planning and outstanding execution on this deal' – Lyle's words underscore a momentous chapter for Arsenal.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi
ARSENAL on Sunday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million ($75 million). Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. "This is a huge moment in my career," said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal. "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." The Athletic reported that Arsenal paid above Zubimendi's 60 million euro ($71 million, £51 million) buyout clause in order to spread the cost of the fee over a number of installments. Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club's academy and has played 19 times for Spain. He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta's midfield options after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Zubimendi's arrival paves the way for Arsenal's record signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard. "Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team," said Arteta. "He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us." Zubimendi is Arsenal's second signing of the summer transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea. The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season for a third straight year and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but ultimately ended up without a trophy for a fifth consecutive season. Attention will now turn to the forward line as the Gunners try to see off champions Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003/04. Arteta's men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Reports on Sunday suggest a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is on the verge of being sealed to fill the need for a new number nine. Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Chelsea's Noni Madueke. - AFP
New York Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal: Transfers TLDR
Arsenal have completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad or a fee of around €65million (£55.8m; $76.6m). Payment of the fee will made in installments rather than one lump sum and the 26-year-old Spain international has signed a five-year contract until 2030. As part of this summer's transfer coverage at The Athletic, in addition to breaking news, tactical analysis and in-depth reads, our Transfers TLDR series (you can read them all here) will bring you a quick guide to each of the key deals. Before joining Zubieta, the academy of hometown club Real Sociedad, aged 12, Zubimendi played at Antiguoko — a youth club where his former Real Sociedad B coach Xabi Alonso and new manager Mikel Arteta spent some of their development years. After grafting his way from there through La Real's C and B teams, Zubimendi made the first of 236 senior appearances in April 2019. A major highlight was helping La Real win the 2020 Copa del Rey against Basque Country rivals Athletic Club (the final was held in April 2021 due to the pandemic). Advertisement He is a European Championship winner with Spain after featuring in four of their games last summer, including the final victory over England, where he replaced Rodri for the second half. Caoimhe O'Neill You can be watching Zubimendi, but he is not watching you, he is locating space to receive the ball or intercept it. A defensive midfield metronome, Zubimendi is rhythmic and dictates play in a traditional Spanish way. He can do so with short, sharp passes or a little more zing out to the wing. He loves a drop of the shoulder and escaping pressure when in possession. He can chip in with goals and assists, but don't expect him to be chart-topping, he is usually the one playing the pass before the pass. Caoimhe O'Neill Zubimendi will offer much-needed press resistance in Arsenal's midfield as they look to progress through the thirds. The Spanish international is an upgrade on 32-year-old Thomas Partey, while offering a stronger ability to receive the ball under pressure than Declan Rice. Always offering himself for a pass, Zubimendi can be Arsenal's release valve when they are in possession. Not only does this help during Arteta's build-up, but such security on the ball will unlock space elsewhere on the pitch — namely Arsenal's wide areas. If the likes of Odegaard and Rice know the ball will arrive from the Spanish maestro, they can have a higher starting position and operate to greater effect in those wide networks. With Arsenal having struggled to break down low blocks at times, Zubimendi's arrival could have a cascading effect on the team's attack. Mark Carey Aside from a few minor muscle injuries, Zubimendi arrives with a strong injury history across his career. After his first full season breaking into Real Sociedad's first team in 2020-21 (making 17 league starts), Zubimendi has played a minimum of 75 per cent of his side's available minutes for the past four campaigns, playing more minutes than any other La Real outfielder in La Liga last season. Advertisement He will need time to adapt to the physical rigours of the Premier League, but barring a freak accident, there should be little concern about Zubimendi's body breaking down. Mark Carey 'Martin's a player all coaches would want,' Xabi Alonso told The Guardian in 2022. 'He's generous, he always thinks more about his team-mates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis. I loved working with him.' Caoimhe O'Neill Zubimendi has signed for Arsenal on a five-year contract, ending in June 2030. Arsenal have exceeded Real Sociedad's €60million release clause for the widely admired central midfielder, paying €65m (£55.8m) to ensure the fee can be spread via instalments rather than in one expensive swoop. Arsenal's 2024-25 accounting period ended on May 31, so nothing related to this deal was ever likely to fall into those accounts (in other words, the delay hasn't been for that purpose). In Spain, Sociedad's new financial year started this week, and this deal will provide a welcome boost to finances as they embark upon their first campaign without European football since 2019-20. Chris Weatherspoon After accounting for assumed agent fees and levies, Zubimendi's signing will add an estimated £11.5m in transfer fee amortisation costs to Arsenal this season. While Arsenal will pay his fee in instalments – and thus pay more than if they'd just met the release clause in one go – that makes no difference to how the costs hit Arsenal's books. They'll still be amortised over Zubimendi's five-year contract. Advertisement That amortisation figure ticks up to £12.8m per season until 2029-30. Thereafter, £1.0m, or one month's worth, of amortisation will fall into 2030-31, owing to Arsenal's May 31 accounting date. As is commonly the case, Zubimendi's wage at his new club isn't reliably known. What is safe to say is that the total cost of Arsenal employing him over the next five years will go well beyond the estimated £63.6m in transfer and associated fees. For Real Sociedad, Zubimendi had little book value, having been reared in the club's academy. They'll therefore be able to book pretty much all their €65m as profit in 2025-26. Sociedad have been profitable in each of the past two seasons for which we have figures, but 2023-24's surplus was driven by Champions League football. Without that in 2022-23, they needed €46.1m in player profits to ensure profitability, and it will be much the same story this coming season. With only a mid-table finish achieved in last season's La Liga, the profit made on Zubimendi will help offset a lack of European football this year. Chris Weatherspoon
Daily Tribune
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi
Arsenal yesterday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million ($75 million). Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. 'This is a huge moment in my career,' said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal. '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.' The Athletic reported that Arsenal paid above Zubimendi's 60 million euro ($71 million, £51 million) buyout clause in order to spread the cost of the fee over a number of installments. Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club's academy and has played 19 times for Spain. He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta's midfield options after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Zubimendi's arrival paves the way for Arsenal's record signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard. 'Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,' said Arteta. 'He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.'
