Arsenal official website: Zubimendi, Arteta and Xavi Alonso are from the same youth training camp

After Zubimendi joined the Gunners, Arsenal's official website introduced 12 interesting stories related to him.

1. Zubimendi and Arteta have similar growth experiences

Both were born in San Sebastian, the Basque Country of Spain, and were both from Antiguoko's youth training camp. Antiguo, a famous Spanish youth training club, has trained many well-known players. In addition to the two mentioned above, Bournemouth coach Iraola and Real Madrid coach Xavi Alonso.

2. Zubimendi is a hero to win the 2024 European Cup Spanish team

In the 2024 European Cup final against England, Zubimendi, who appeared as a substitute Rodri, reversed the situation on the court. His pass success rate reached 92%, he completed three steals, and won all 5 matches with the opponent's players with equal opportunities. In the end, Spain scored 2 goals in the second half and defeated England 2-1 to win the championship.

3. It took Zubimendi nearly three years to score his first career goal

In April 2019, Zubimendi completed his debut at Real Sociedad, and it took him nearly three years to score his first career goal, which was in the UEFA Europa League against RB Leipzig.

4. Zubimendi chose No. 36 jersey at Arsenal

In the 2025/26 season, Zubimendi will wear Arsenal's No. 36 jersey. He wore this number when he made his debut at Real Sociedad in 2019. Later, he also wore No. 3 and No. 4 jerseys at Real Sociedad.

5. Zubimendi will meet some old teammates at Arsenal

Zubimendi once fought side by side with Merino and Odegao at Real Sociedad. He also has had experience working with David Raya in the Spanish national team.

6. Zubimendi and Merino cooperated very well

The two have played side by side with the national team in the club for 169 games.

7. Zubimendi won the runner-up of the Olympics

Zubimendi played for the Spanish National Olympic team in the Tokyo Olympics five times. The Spanish National Olympic team finally lost to the Brazilian National Olympic team where Gabriel Martinelli was located in the final and won the silver medal.

8. Zubimendi is a hero in his hometown

Zubimendi helped Real Sociedad win the 2019-20 season of the King's Cup, which was Real Sociedad's first important trophy since 1987. In the 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao that year, Zubimendi played the game and performed well.

9. Many Spanish players have achieved success in Arsenal, and Zubimendi is expected to be the next

A total of 16 Spanish players have played for Arsenal, of which 7 players (including Arteta, Fabregas, etc.) have made more than 100 appearances.

10. Zubimendi is a chess master

Zubimendi has played chess since he was a child. At the age of 11, he won the chess championship in his hometown under 12.

11.Zubimedi often has passes through the opponent's defense on the court

2024/25 season, in La Liga, only three players have more passes through the defense than Zuubimedi (238 times). They are Modric, Valverde and Joan Ammeni.

12. The birthplaces of Zubimendi and Kepa are very close to each other.

Zubimdi is not the only new player from the Basque Country in Spain this summer. Kepa is Arsenal's first signing for this summer. Kepa was born in Ondaroa, about 60 kilometers from San Sebastian, Zubimendi's birthplace.