Martin Zubimendi on Arsenal Adaptation and Champions League Push | North London 2026

Key Points

• Martin Zubimendi said moving to north London has required a major adjustment after leaving San Sebastián for the first time.
• He said one of the things he misses most is his dog, which had always lived with him before the move.
• Zubimendi said having Spanish teammates at Arsenal has made the transition easier.
• He praised Mikel Arteta’s coaching, saying he has already become “a different player” since joining the club.
• He described Arsenal’s season in the Champions League as one built on consistency, focus and control.
• Zubimendi said playing at the Emirates on a European night creates a special atmosphere and gives Arsenal confidence.
• UEFA’s technical analysis after the Sporting CP tie said he played a key role in shaping the game with Declan Rice.
• Arsenal advanced to a second successive Champions League semi-final after the Sporting CP result, with Zubimendi central to the team’s control.

Arsenal (North London News) May 3, 2026 – Martin Zubimendi has spoken openly about the personal and footballing adjustments he has faced since joining Arsenal, while also underlining the importance of consistency as the club push through another Champions League campaign.

How did Zubimendi describe his move to Arsenal?

As reported by Sid Lowe of The Guardian, Zubimendi said he had to adapt after moving away from home for the first time, explaining that life in north London has been different from what he knew in San Sebastián.

He said that, back home, he always had people around him in his free time, but in London he has had to adjust and “try new things”. He also pointed to a personal change away from football, saying that his dog is one of the things he misses most.

Why has the transition felt easier at Arsenal?

Zubimendi said the presence of Spanish teammates at Arsenal has helped him settle more comfortably. He also noted his connection with Mikel Arteta, saying both men came through Antiguoko, a feeder club in the Basque region of Spain. In the same interview,

he said that once he joined Arsenal he realised he had “a lot to learn” and praised Arteta as a coach who has seen, learned and studied a great deal.

What has Arteta changed in his game?

Zubimendi said the work on the training ground has made a clear difference to his development. He said Arsenal’s sessions involve tactical, technical and strategic work, and he suggested repetition is a key part of the club’s method.

He also argued that while the Premier League is physically demanding, intelligence remains essential for making a decisive impact in matches.

What did he say about Arsenal’s Champions League form?

Zubimendi said Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has been driven by consistency and concentration in every match. He said the team have stayed focused regardless of where they have played or who they have faced. Zubimendi also said

Arsenal have been making steady progress in the competition in recent seasons, pointing to quarter-final and semi-final runs as evidence of that growth.

What does he think of the Emirates atmosphere?

Zubimendi said a European night at the Emirates feels different because the atmosphere begins building well before kick-off.

He said the stadium produces an “incredible” environment once the match starts and that the crowd can sense the desire to win the Champions League. That belief, he added, makes the semi-final second leg feel like it will be an important occasion.

What did UEFA’s analysis highlight?

UEFA’s post-match analysis after Arsenal’s quarter-final success against Sporting CP said Zubimendi played a key role in shaping the flow of the game alongside Declan Rice.

UEFA Technical Observer Fatih Terim described the composure of the midfield pair as crucial to Arsenal’s control. The report also noted that Zubimendi made 13 defensive actions in the match and helped Arsenal secure another clean sheet in Europe.

Background of the development

Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad and has quickly become part of Mikel Arteta’s midfield structure, with UEFA’s technical panel singling him out for his influence in Arsenal’s Champions League progress. The wider context is Arsenal’s push to move beyond recent near-misses in Europe, with the club reaching successive semi-finals and looking to turn that consistency into a place in the final.

Zubimendi’s remarks fit that picture because they show both a player adapting personally to a new country and a team trying to maintain elite-level performance across a full European campaign.

What could this mean for Arsenal fans?

For Arsenal supporters, Zubimendi’s comments suggest the midfielder is settling into the club’s structure and growing more comfortable in high-pressure European fixtures. That can matter because a settled holding midfielder often helps a team stay organised, protect leads and control difficult matches. If Arsenal continue to build around that stability, fans can expect Zubimendi’s role to remain important in both domestic and Champions League matches.