Arsenal is expected to announce their first signing this summer in the next 48hrs

Arsenal have always been a club that dreams big. The North London giants have a history filled with beautiful football, famous players, and dramatic moments that made fans fall in love with them. But the modern era of football is brutal and competitive. If you want to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, you cannot simply hope for magic — you must plan for it. That’s what Arsenal have been doing behind the scenes for months, even when fans were growing restless. They kept quiet in the transfer market, barely a whisper about signings. Some supporters worried they were falling asleep at the wheel. But the truth was far more ambitious than anyone guessed.

Because Arsenal weren’t idle. They were plotting. Carefully, methodically, Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar, and the Arsenal recruitment team have been working to transform the squad, and they knew the first signing had to make a statement. It couldn’t be some cheap stopgap. It had to be a player who would instantly lift the level of the team and prove to the world that Arsenal mean business.

Now that moment has come. After weeks of speculation and negotiations, Arsenal are on the verge of announcing their first big signing of the summer: Martin Zubimendi. Within 48 hours — that’s what sources insist — Arsenal will confirm the arrival of the Spanish midfielder for around £55 million. It is not only their first summer signing but arguably one of the most important signings of the Arteta era so far. But why all this drama for one player? Why is Martin Zubimendi so special? Why did Arsenal work so hard, staying silent even when the fans demanded news?

Because Zubimendi isn’t just another name on a list. He is a player who has been on Arsenal’s radar for more than a year. The club has been following him, analyzing every aspect of his game, personality, and career trajectory. They know he’s not a flashy luxury signing or a risk. He’s a proven, intelligent, tactically sharp holding midfielder — one of the best in the world in his role. And with Thomas Partey and Jorginho leaving the club on free transfers, Arsenal needed a new heartbeat in the middle of the pitch.

Last summer, Arsenal showed interest in another Real Sociedad midfielder: Mikel Merino. That was when talks with the Basque club started to shift. In those conversations, the name Martin Zubimendi kept coming up. Arsenal scouts and analysts fell in love with his game. Calm on the ball, tough in the tackle, smart in reading the game, always knowing the next pass. He was a natural leader, a player who didn’t buckle under pressure, who had already delivered for his club and country.

But it wasn’t just the scouting reports that convinced Arteta. Zubimendi’s performances spoke for themselves. He was a key reason Real Sociedad rose back into the Champions League. He helped them lift the Copa del Rey, ending decades of pain for the club’s supporters. He was not simply a passenger — he was a leader on the pitch, directing teammates, breaking up attacks, starting moves with precision passing.

And if Arsenal fans needed any more proof of his quality, they got it in 2024 when Zubimendi became a European champion with Spain. In a team filled with talent, he stood out for his calm authority and tactical discipline. Arteta knew this was the kind of player who didn’t just add depth. He would transform Arsenal’s midfield. Of course, Arsenal weren’t the only ones watching. Liverpool admired him. Manchester City liked him. Real Madrid and Barcelona also wanted him. But while others hesitated, Arsenal acted. That was the big difference.

Behind the scenes, Arsenal negotiated carefully with Real Sociedad. Zubimendi’s release clause was €60 million — about £51.7 million. A straightforward fee on paper. But football deals are rarely that simple. Arsenal actually agreed to pay a little more, around £55 million. Why? Because that extra payment allowed the deal to be structured in a way that suited both clubs financially. Real Sociedad benefited from accounting advantages that helped their books look better, avoiding financial problems or the need to sell other players in a panic. Arsenal, in turn, gained goodwill and strengthened a relationship with a respected club.

Edu and Arteta know these details matter. Football transfers are not just about numbers — they’re about relationships. Arsenal’s positive ties with Real Sociedad made this deal smoother than many fans realise. It’s not always about who offers the most money, but who negotiates with respect and understanding.

And that respect will pay off in the long term. Real Sociedad know they are sending one of their finest players to a club where he will thrive. Arsenal know they are signing a player who is not simply looking for a payday but is hungry to compete at the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League.

For Arsenal supporters, this signing is a promise. A promise that the club is not content with “almost” winning the title. Last season was agonising for many fans. Arsenal led the league for much of the campaign but fell short against Manchester City’s relentless machine. The gap wasn’t huge, but it was real. Arteta’s plan is to close that gap, and signing Zubimendi is a direct move to address one of Arsenal’s most glaring weaknesses: defensive midfield depth and stability.

Thomas Partey was brilliant when fit but was too often injured. Jorginho brought experience but lacked pace and defensive bite. Declan Rice was forced to do too much at times, covering for mistakes, shielding the defence while also driving the attack. Arteta wants Rice to have a partner he can trust. Someone who keeps shape, wins duels, starts attacks calmly, and knows when to slow the game or speed it up.

Zubimendi is that player. Watch him play and you see a conductor. Not flashy. Not scoring wonder goals every week. But running the show with clever positioning, short passes that beat the press, tackles that break up counters, instructions to teammates. That’s what Arsenal have lacked in the biggest games — the small details that make the difference between champions and also-rans.

It’s no coincidence that Arteta, a Basque himself, has long admired the Real Sociedad way. The club is famous for developing intelligent, technically sound players who understand the game. Zubimendi is the latest product of that tradition. He grew up at Sociedad, absorbed their values, and now takes them to the Premier League. Some fans have asked: why did it take so long? Why wasn’t it announced earlier?

The truth is the deal was effectively done days ago. But Real Sociedad needed to close their financial year cleanly. The delay in announcing wasn’t about drama or negotiating tricks — it was pure accounting. By waiting a few days, Sociedad were able to count the income in the next financial year, helping them comply with Spanish football’s financial rules. Arsenal understood that and respected it. That is how trust is built in football negotiations.

This move also speaks to Arsenal’s evolving identity under Arteta. When he took over, Arsenal were a club with no clear plan. They had too many expensive older players on huge wages and too little tactical coherence. Arteta and Edu have worked to change that. They have focused on younger players, smart signings, and developing a clear, modern style of play. Look at the squad now. Bukayo Saka, still so young, is one of the league’s best wingers. Martin Ødegaard, the captain, is a creative genius who leads by example. William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable centre-back partnership. Declan Rice was the crown jewel of last summer’s window.

Now Zubimendi arrives as the perfect complement to Rice. The vision is clear: Rice can roam, carry the ball forward, even pop up with goals, knowing he has a rock behind him. Zubimendi will stay disciplined, shield the defence, dictate tempo, and make sure Arsenal don’t lose their shape in big moments.

And it doesn’t stop there. Arsenal plan to sign at least one more midfielder. Cristian Nørgaard, the Brentford captain, is also expected to join. Nørgaard brings Premier League experience and leadership, giving Arsenal the kind of squad depth that wins titles. Arteta doesn’t want a repeat of last season, when injuries and fatigue cost them.

But midfield is only the start. Sources say Arsenal want at least three forward additions this summer. They know that to truly compete with Manchester City, they need more goals, more options, and more unpredictability. Andrea Berta, the new transfer guru brought in from Atlético Madrid, is leading negotiations across Europe. His connections and expertise are already paying off.

Arsenal are also in talks with other targets. Reports suggest they want a versatile forward who can play across the front line, a classic number nine to offer a different threat, and possibly a wide player to give Saka and Gabriel Martinelli more rest. The club is determined not to be caught short again. And all of this, the entire plan, starts with Zubimendi. His signing is the foundation. It’s the statement of intent. It tells the dressing room, the fans, and the rivals: Arsenal are serious.

Fans have reacted with excitement and relief. Social media has exploded with videos of Zubimendi’s best moments, from inch-perfect tackles to beautiful passes under pressure. Some fans joke that they’ve been scouting him themselves for months on YouTube. Others are simply thrilled that Arsenal have finally landed one of their top targets after so many summers of frustration.

For older Arsenal fans, there is a sense of nostalgia, too. Zubimendi is the kind of intelligent, composed midfielder who would not have looked out of place in the famous Wenger teams that dominated English football with style and precision. He’s a player who understands space, timing, and balance — qualities that made Arsenal so admired even when they weren’t winning trophies. But this is not a nostalgia signing. This is Arteta’s Arsenal — modern, disciplined, pressing high, controlling games. Zubimendi fits the plan perfectly. He’s not here to be a star attraction, but to be the glue that holds everything together.

For Real Sociedad, it is a bittersweet moment. They are losing a leader, a homegrown talent who embodied their philosophy. But they also know this is football. Players grow, clubs evolve, and big moves happen. Sociedad fans can be proud that they have produced a player who is wanted by Europe’s best and who moves on good terms, with respect and gratitude.

From a neutral perspective, the deal shows how far Arsenal have come. Not long ago, they struggled to convince top players. Their recruitment was chaotic, often reactive rather than planned. Now they are pulling off complicated, big-money deals with some of Europe’s best clubs, winning the race against huge rivals.

And the summer is only beginning. Arsenal have money to spend, a clear plan, and the hunger to go one better than last season. The signing of Zubimendi won’t guarantee a title. But it will make Arsenal much harder to beat. It will give Arteta more options, more tactical flexibility, and more control in the biggest games. As the days count down to the official announcement, Arsenal fans can dare to dream. They remember the pain of falling short. They remember watching City celebrate. Now they want their turn. And they know it takes more than hope. It takes signings like this.

Zubimendi will arrive in North London not as a saviour but as a piece of a carefully constructed puzzle. He joins a squad that believes in itself, a manager with a clear vision, and a club that is finally acting like a giant again.

And that is why this signing matters. Not just the money or the hype, but what it represents: ambition, planning, respect for the game and its traditions, and a belief that Arsenal are on the verge of something special. In a few days, the photos will be everywhere. Zubimendi holding the Arsenal shirt, smiling at London Colney, shaking hands with Edu and Arteta. The official channels will release interviews in which he talks about the project, the fans, and the dream of winning titles. And the fans will watch, hoping this is the summer everything changes.

But the real work will start after the photos and press conferences. On the training ground, learning Arteta’s demands, forming a partnership with Rice, getting to know teammates. In the Premier League cauldron, facing pressing, tackles, late goals. In the Champions League, going toe-to-toe with the best.

That’s what Arsenal are paying for. Not just a name or a highlight reel, but a true competitor. Someone who will give everything to take Arsenal from hopeful challengers to champions. And so the wait is nearly over. Within 48 hours, Arsenal will confirm what they have been quietly, determinedly planning for months. The first signing of the summer. The statement of intent. The start of what they hope will be a title-winning transformation.