Martín Zubimendi finally made his much-anticipated Arsenal debut on Wednesday as the Gunners edged out AC Milan 1–0 in a pre-season friendly in Singapore. The Spanish midfielder, signed from Real Sociedad for £55 million, is Arsenal’s marquee signing so far this summer and expectations are already high.
Mikel Arteta named Zubimendi among the substitutes for the opening game of their Asia tour. He was introduced at the start of the second half, replacing fellow new signing Christian Nørgaard. The 26-year-old slotted straight into the holding midfield role — the position he was brought in to strengthen — and looked composed throughout.
Despite only playing 45 minutes, Zubimendi was heavily involved in Arsenal’s build-up play. He made 34 passes in total, with 30 of them completed successfully. He constantly offered himself as an outlet and played with his trademark calmness, rarely needing more than two touches to move the ball on.
What stood out most in his performance was how seamlessly he controlled possession. He played 10 passes into the final third, showing a clear intent to progress the ball rather than just recycle it. His ability to find the right angle and tempo in midfield gave Arsenal a smooth rhythm during the second half.
Zubimendi also created two chances for his teammates — the joint-most of any player in the game — further underlining his impact in the attacking phase. While he isn’t known as a traditional playmaker, his intelligence and timing in central areas helped unlock Milan’s shape at key moments.
Defensively, the Spaniard wasn’t tested much due to Milan’s cautious second-half approach. However, he still recorded four defensive actions, including two successful tackles or interceptions, and won 60% of his ground duels. His positioning was disciplined, and he stayed alert to potential counters.
It wasn’t a flashy display, but it was exactly what Arsenal fans and Arteta would have wanted to see. Zubimendi was composed, efficient, and clearly in sync with the team’s tactical setup — a promising sign for someone still adjusting to a new environment and league.
To top off his evening, Zubimendi also confidently dispatched his spot-kick in the post-match penalty shootout, which was staged for additional fitness and entertainment. While the result didn’t affect the scoreline, it showed his cool mentality under pressure.
Overall, Zubimendi’s debut offered a clear glimpse of why Arsenal made a significant investment to bring him to North London. His blend of technical quality, positional intelligence, and composure fits perfectly into Arteta’s vision for a more controlled midfield.
Arsenal fans won’t have to wait long to see more. The Gunners continue their pre-season tour with a clash against Newcastle United on July 27, followed by a heated matchup with Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31. Zubimendi is expected to feature heavily as he builds fitness ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
