New Signing Tipped to Be the Most Impactful Player for Mikel Arteta This Season
Of all the signings Arsenal have made this summer, Viktor Gyökeres is undoubtedly the one many expect to have the biggest impact. Arsenal have long needed a clinical number nine, and with his goal-scoring exploits at Sporting CP, Gyökeres might finally be that man. If he hits the ground running and starts scoring goals left, […] The post New Signing Tipped to Be the Most Impactful Player for Mikel Arteta This Season appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
RR aka Rishi-Raj
Of all the signings Arsenal have made this summer, Viktor Gyökeres is undoubtedly the one many expect to have the biggest impact.
Arsenal have long needed a clinical number nine, and with his goal-scoring exploits at Sporting CP, Gyökeres might finally be that man.
If he hits the ground running and starts scoring goals left, right and centre, he could well be the signing of the season.
But where does that leave Martin Zubimendi?
Surely, if the midfielder performs at his best and capably replaces Thomas Partey after the season the Ghanaian had, there will be a genuine argument that he is the more influential signing.
Against Athletic Bilbao, both players started, and without a shadow of doubt, it was Zubimendi who stole the show. He was immaculate.
The Spaniard impressed throughout, pulling the strings in Arsenal’s engine room. In and out of possession, he looked composed, calculated, and consistently effective.
Unless Gyökeres produces something extraordinary, Zubimendi may well emerge as Arsenal’s true game-changer. Theo Walcott certainly thinks so.
Walcott Backs Zubimendi to Transform Arsenal’s Midfield
Speaking on the BBC’s Football Daily podcast, the former Gunner raved about Zubimendi’s impact and why he is backing him to shine.
“But could Zubimendi actually be, if not more important, maybe have more of an immediate impact, given that he was player of the match in the last pre-season fixture?” Walcott was asked.
To which he responded:
“Yes, and the reason why I say that so confidently is that he is forward-thinking.
“He is not a player who takes the easy option. He likes to take risks. We always look at wingers to take risks, and they are usually the first to be subbed.
“But he is a midfielder who looks to go forward first. First touch is forward. First pass, his instinct is always forward. And I like that. It is always positive in my eyes.
“Zubimendi also controls the calmness. Physically, that will be the test for him.
“That is always the case when any foreign player comes to the Premier League. It is the toughest league in world football. But he is someone who has already won most things, it will not phase him. Arsenal have admired him for years.
“Mikel’s finally got his man. He has been overshadowed, but as a midfielder, we do not mind that. We do the work properly. And that is what I like about him.”
Zubimendi: The Partey Heir
After the brilliant season Partey delivered, replacing him was never going to be easy.
But Zubimendi is built differently.
He is the kind of player who replaced Rodri in a final and went on to deliver a man-of-the-match performance.
He must now ensure Gooners do not suffer a Partey hangover. Fortunately, in his first start at the Emirates, he looked the part.
Analysing his performance in that 3-0 pre-season win, it is all positives.
Old Trafford Awaits
The Theatre of Dreams beckons on Sunday.
Many will hope Zubimendi picks up where he left off last Saturday. If he builds on that display, nothing should stop him.
As good as Gyökeres may be, if Zubimendi finds his footing in the Premier League, he is a special talent whose performances will not go unnoticed.
He could well become the heartbeat of this Arsenal side.
Daniel O
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