Mikel Arteta warned about two 'problems' with Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi

Not everyone is convinced by Mikel Arteta’s latest signing (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has been warned that new signing Martin Zubimendi may not be a ready-made fit for Arsenal’s midfield.

The Gunners finally confirmed the long-awaited signing of Zubimendi on the weekend, with the midfielder joining from Real Sociedad for £51million.

The Spain international turned down a move to Liverpool last summer and attracted interest from Real Madrid, but has instead chosen to join Arsenal on a five-year deal.

Zubimendi is expected to be thrown straight into the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, especially following the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho at the end of last month.

However, former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson is concerned that his former side may have overpaid for Zubimendi and fears the 26-year-old may not possess the range of passing to help break down stubborn defences.

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‘He’s not dynamic,’ Robson told ESPN. ‘He plays the holding role and he’ll keep the ball quite nicely, but I’ve done commentary on La Liga and I’ll have a little joke about how many times he’s going to pass it forward.

‘He hardly ever passes it forward – there’s no penetrative or goalscoring passes, he just keeps the thing flowing.

Martin Zubimendi finally completed his move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘There are lots of players who can do that, and you’re paying a lot of money for a player who can just keep things moving along.’

Concerns were also raised about whether Zubimendi could adapt to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League, with former Liverpool player Steve Nicol unsure if the Spaniard will be able to cope.

‘If you’re going to let Odegaard and Rice get forward, you know they are going to pen teams in,’ Nicol said.

Zubimendi joins former Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘The biggest problem Manchester City have got is when teams get out, you don’t have anyone in the middle of the park to stop them.

‘I don’t see how this guy stops them. He’s not quick around the field and that’s my problem.’

Will Martin Zubimendi be a success at Arsenal? YES

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Robson, meanwhile, added: ‘He’s no more athletic than Jorginho is and he certainly won’t be as good defensively as Rodri.

‘In my view, if you’re going to be a holding midfielder – even if you are good on the ball – you have to be a good athlete.

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‘You have to cover full-backs and midfield players who have gone forward, you might have to drop in between your centre halves at times, and I don’t see him doing that.’

Arteta, however, is convinced that Zubimendi will only add to his side’s quality in the middle of the park.

‘Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,’ he said. ‘He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.

‘The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club.’

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