Martin Zubimendi instantly takes teammate’s unusual shirt number as £55m Arsenal move finally completed

Arsenal finally announced the signing by Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a long -term contract.

The Spanish midfielder has become the Gunner’s second summer after he followed the Emirates Kepa Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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The 26-year-old, who rejected a move to Liverpool 12 months ago, has now placed a switch of £ 55 million to North London.

The 26-year-old told the club’s website: “This is a big moment in my career. It is the step I was looking for and which I wanted to take.

“As soon as you enter foot here, you will see how big this club and this team are.

“I have Arsenal in sight because her playing style suits me well.

“You have shown your potential lately and the best will come.”

Arsenal’s conversations about the signing of Zubimendi were already on an advanced phase in January.

Mikel Areta had looked at the real Sociedad star for over a year and had the request to bring him to the club in January.

Areta added: “Martin is a player who gives our team a large number of quality and football intelligence. He will fit really well and have all the attributes to be an important player for us.

“The standard that he performed consistently for both clubs and land in the last seasons is exactly the reason why we are so excited to have it with us. We all welcome Martin and his family in the club.”

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Arsenal has confirmed that Zubimendi will wear the shirt number 36, his first Sociedad shirt when he broke into the team as a teenager.

In recent years he has also attracted jerseys No. 3 and No. 4, the latter of which is currently occupied by Ben White.

But despite the vacant shirt with a three shirt to Kieran Terney’s exit, Zubimendi decided instead to unite with No. 36 instead.

That was Tommy Setford’s shirt, which unveiled Arsenal in May, a permanent place in the dressing room of the first team.

The goalkeeper joined the Gunners from Ajax U18 last July and was appointed 1-1 in the Premier League to Brighton to Aaron Ramsdal’s departure to Southampton within weeks.

In October he made his debut of the first team in the Carabao Cup and held a clean sheet in the 3-0 win of the club after Preston North End.

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Setford, who spent most of the time last season in the U21 and U19s, was also on the bench for Areta’s men in all their Champions League games.

He started with the U19S euros for England last month and played all three games when the Young Lions in Group B. took third place.

It still has to be announced how his new number for Arsenal will be on his return, with Zubimendi the 11th player taking over No. 36.

The Emi Martinez of Aston Villa held the shirt in the past at the famous next to the Ismael Bennacer from AC Milan.

Thomas Cruise, Mark Randall, Johan Djourou, John Halls, Jermaine Pennant, Brian McGovern and Jehad Muntasser also held the shirt.