A massive profile on Arsenal's likely midfield signing: his fit, function, defensive game, physical profile, press resistance, passing range, untapped skills, and potential to transform Arsenal
I'm seated. The Emirates employees are scared and asking me to leave because 'the window hasn't opened yet' and 'Martin Zubimendi is still a Real Sociedad player' but I'm simply too seated
Incredibly insightful as always. I always get so excited when you post these long reads. You’ve changed how I see the game and for that I can’t thank you enough.
This might be overindexing one game (or one half of one game), but when reading this I keep coming back to how Calafiori completely changed the offensive dynamic/tempo/rhythm against our mid-block kryptonite Sunday. What does our offensive fluency look like when Zubi's intelligence, movement and defensive range (compared to #5) alongside of a full season of Calafiori and MLS at LCB/LB? Zubi/Cala's otb movement both seem high level and synergistic, especially.
It's funny because even in your bear case - "Arsenal need more chaos" and the "Fulham problem" - it feels like Zubi is kinda the perfect fit to platform our internal chaos agents in MLS and Cala.
Saw these points raised in a fan Discord connected to a desire for more rotation to rest Gabi M and Saliba more. LB: MLS and LCB: Calafiori add so much dynamism and chaos agents to the mix. Would love to see Zubi play with them too.
Thanks as ever for the heavy lift and the generous reflection Billy! I’m looking forward to reading you here all summer. Big moment in our evolution. I’ve also felt that the base is the key to the attack being more lethal now teams have figured out some of our most important attacking dynamics, and given how infrequently we play on the half turn through the middle.
I think Zubimendi being locked in (🤞) and Sesko looking the more likely 9 based on last summer, suggests we also plan to field Havertz often, and if the Nico rumours are credible (given TA reporting) Zubimendi is such a positive for our attack. Moving around blocks can unleash Havertz’s incredible intelligence, can offer lanes to unlock Williams’s aggression and incision, can release Saka and Ødegaard from double and triple teams. We can play more vertically and also make space for deep strikes from Declan with a player like this shuffling things at the base of the deck. I hope we land them all.
Fantastic, as usual, thank you! Like you, I have DM and LW as my top 2 priorities, although LW is at #1 for me. I think the team needs more “secondary ball handlers/on-ball creators” in NBA parlance. Personally, I can’t look past Eze, and the time might be ripe for getting him (recently broke CP’s trophy duck, age lines up, should be nearing his peak years).
What do you think?
Edit: forgot to throw a name in the hat. “Mikel’s Hair Gel Emporium” has a nice ring to it I think.
I actually agree! I think Havertz coming back is huge, but think Sesko would be perfect because he’s young and can be rotated in rather than being bought to start right away.
Trying not to think trophy now for a second, I also love this picture: Sesko learning from Havertz, MLS learning from Zubimendi. Keep building the team for the future and the immediate season.
I have a feeling Gabriel and Ødegaard may not be guaranteed starters next season. Signing Zubimendi would pair beautifully with an MLS-caliber left-back and Calafiori at left-centre-back, respectively, while allowing for a more output-based No. 8 or No. 10 alongside Saka, similar to Nwaneri, Vieira, or Dowman. The only concern is the out-of-possession setup with Ødegaard.
To summarize, I think Zubi could mark the dawn of a new era at Arsenal; he’s a very exciting signing. And it’s both thrilling and a little scary to imagine Ødegaard stepping up as an out-and-out No. 10, acting as a chameleon to reinforce our buildup.
I’m very bullish about Arsenal: now we just need a touch-line left winger and some injury luck. Hopefully we bring in that left winger, a striker, and someone like Mbeumo.
In some ways it feels like we are going round in circles. Buy Partey, perfect 6, gets injured too much and makes mistakes in defence, getting on a bit as well. Pay more and get the best, Rice, but he's not a progressive passer or press resistant. Ok, let's get someone else, a bit like Jorgi....
So we spunk up £150m for 2 world class 6s, for one reason or another decide they don't work, then buy another. It's a bit like Artetas collection of centre backs. Have we actually made transfer mis-steps (I don't think getting Rice is a mistake at 8/6 hybrid, but I'm not sure that was the plan either), or was this the plan? Lastly, does this deflect from our problems entering zone 14 and a creative passer up the pitch? In some ways it feels like we are pushing Rice up in hope, rather than by design. Havertz anyone?
Wow! So comprehensive! This must have taken hours to compile and then write, which I must say it’s not only beautifully analysed and depicted but so well articulated in digestible bite size chunks. Zubimendi seems like an exciting prospect as appears to resolve some underlying issues and this more athletic Jorginho, should excite anyone as Jorginho was only lacking pace in his game.
Also loved the comparisons with Thief. What a movie…what a soundtrack with Tangerine Dream and Mann is a genius as proven with later stunning visual creations in Manhunter, Heat, Collateral etc. Loved your analogy and the wonderfully descriptive flow there. Have subscribed. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Hopefully a close inspection of LW alternatives or who is the best option out of Sesko and Gyokores? Either way, eager to read your findings.
Excellent work here! Nice to read an Arsenal related piece with more thoroughness and insight than the mainstream. More than an escape from the snarky Arsenal pieces/videos almost everywhere else.
Hey Billy, is there any chance you’d be up for doing a piece on wide forwards as you did CDMs the summer we bought Declan Rice? Maybe that’s too big a focus on a less fundamental position? In which case: any chance you’d be up for a piece about our left hand side?
Absolutely love it. As always - thorough and so insightful.
May I ask an opinion...? Because I heart your emphasis on the importance of "cracking the midfield", even over a striker (but not a power up winger/dribbler), do you not feel that EVEN if we have a solid summer window and get...
* Sesko/Gyökeres
* Nico/Rodrygo
* Zubi
... We're STILL missing that Simmons/Eze wingfielder burstiness through the middle of the park to deal with "The Fulham Effect" low block variance - which really is the constant that is preventing us from going one level up and winning things?
Know what else is competence porn? This blog right here.
Are we Berta's BBQ now
No. Billy’s BBQ. He bows to no one.
🤣
I'm seated. The Emirates employees are scared and asking me to leave because 'the window hasn't opened yet' and 'Martin Zubimendi is still a Real Sociedad player' but I'm simply too seated
Incredibly insightful as always. I always get so excited when you post these long reads. You’ve changed how I see the game and for that I can’t thank you enough.
This might be overindexing one game (or one half of one game), but when reading this I keep coming back to how Calafiori completely changed the offensive dynamic/tempo/rhythm against our mid-block kryptonite Sunday. What does our offensive fluency look like when Zubi's intelligence, movement and defensive range (compared to #5) alongside of a full season of Calafiori and MLS at LCB/LB? Zubi/Cala's otb movement both seem high level and synergistic, especially.
It's funny because even in your bear case - "Arsenal need more chaos" and the "Fulham problem" - it feels like Zubi is kinda the perfect fit to platform our internal chaos agents in MLS and Cala.
Saw these points raised in a fan Discord connected to a desire for more rotation to rest Gabi M and Saliba more. LB: MLS and LCB: Calafiori add so much dynamism and chaos agents to the mix. Would love to see Zubi play with them too.
Thanks as ever for the heavy lift and the generous reflection Billy! I’m looking forward to reading you here all summer. Big moment in our evolution. I’ve also felt that the base is the key to the attack being more lethal now teams have figured out some of our most important attacking dynamics, and given how infrequently we play on the half turn through the middle.
I think Zubimendi being locked in (🤞) and Sesko looking the more likely 9 based on last summer, suggests we also plan to field Havertz often, and if the Nico rumours are credible (given TA reporting) Zubimendi is such a positive for our attack. Moving around blocks can unleash Havertz’s incredible intelligence, can offer lanes to unlock Williams’s aggression and incision, can release Saka and Ødegaard from double and triple teams. We can play more vertically and also make space for deep strikes from Declan with a player like this shuffling things at the base of the deck. I hope we land them all.
Fantastic, as usual, thank you! Like you, I have DM and LW as my top 2 priorities, although LW is at #1 for me. I think the team needs more “secondary ball handlers/on-ball creators” in NBA parlance. Personally, I can’t look past Eze, and the time might be ripe for getting him (recently broke CP’s trophy duck, age lines up, should be nearing his peak years).
What do you think?
Edit: forgot to throw a name in the hat. “Mikel’s Hair Gel Emporium” has a nice ring to it I think.
My hot take is that if we only had to sign one forward, signing Eze or Eze-type player is better than signing a striker. 🫣🫣🫣
I actually agree! I think Havertz coming back is huge, but think Sesko would be perfect because he’s young and can be rotated in rather than being bought to start right away.
Trying not to think trophy now for a second, I also love this picture: Sesko learning from Havertz, MLS learning from Zubimendi. Keep building the team for the future and the immediate season.
Good grief, this is good analysis. You should have the sports editors at all the top publications trying to recruit you.
I have a feeling Gabriel and Ødegaard may not be guaranteed starters next season. Signing Zubimendi would pair beautifully with an MLS-caliber left-back and Calafiori at left-centre-back, respectively, while allowing for a more output-based No. 8 or No. 10 alongside Saka, similar to Nwaneri, Vieira, or Dowman. The only concern is the out-of-possession setup with Ødegaard.
To summarize, I think Zubi could mark the dawn of a new era at Arsenal; he’s a very exciting signing. And it’s both thrilling and a little scary to imagine Ødegaard stepping up as an out-and-out No. 10, acting as a chameleon to reinforce our buildup.
I’m very bullish about Arsenal: now we just need a touch-line left winger and some injury luck. Hopefully we bring in that left winger, a striker, and someone like Mbeumo.
In some ways it feels like we are going round in circles. Buy Partey, perfect 6, gets injured too much and makes mistakes in defence, getting on a bit as well. Pay more and get the best, Rice, but he's not a progressive passer or press resistant. Ok, let's get someone else, a bit like Jorgi....
So we spunk up £150m for 2 world class 6s, for one reason or another decide they don't work, then buy another. It's a bit like Artetas collection of centre backs. Have we actually made transfer mis-steps (I don't think getting Rice is a mistake at 8/6 hybrid, but I'm not sure that was the plan either), or was this the plan? Lastly, does this deflect from our problems entering zone 14 and a creative passer up the pitch? In some ways it feels like we are pushing Rice up in hope, rather than by design. Havertz anyone?
Wow! So comprehensive! This must have taken hours to compile and then write, which I must say it’s not only beautifully analysed and depicted but so well articulated in digestible bite size chunks. Zubimendi seems like an exciting prospect as appears to resolve some underlying issues and this more athletic Jorginho, should excite anyone as Jorginho was only lacking pace in his game.
Also loved the comparisons with Thief. What a movie…what a soundtrack with Tangerine Dream and Mann is a genius as proven with later stunning visual creations in Manhunter, Heat, Collateral etc. Loved your analogy and the wonderfully descriptive flow there. Have subscribed. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Hopefully a close inspection of LW alternatives or who is the best option out of Sesko and Gyokores? Either way, eager to read your findings.
Keep up the amazing work!
Ps. Do you have a YouTube channel or Twitter/X account I can follow, Billy?
Billy, Arsenal would be wise to fold you into the front office. But man I'd miss your writing. Love what you're doing.
Excellent work here! Nice to read an Arsenal related piece with more thoroughness and insight than the mainstream. More than an escape from the snarky Arsenal pieces/videos almost everywhere else.
Fabulous work as always.
Hey Billy, is there any chance you’d be up for doing a piece on wide forwards as you did CDMs the summer we bought Declan Rice? Maybe that’s too big a focus on a less fundamental position? In which case: any chance you’d be up for a piece about our left hand side?
Absolutely love it. As always - thorough and so insightful.
May I ask an opinion...? Because I heart your emphasis on the importance of "cracking the midfield", even over a striker (but not a power up winger/dribbler), do you not feel that EVEN if we have a solid summer window and get...
* Sesko/Gyökeres
* Nico/Rodrygo
* Zubi
... We're STILL missing that Simmons/Eze wingfielder burstiness through the middle of the park to deal with "The Fulham Effect" low block variance - which really is the constant that is preventing us from going one level up and winning things?