Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso made a desperate plea to the club's hierarchy last summer to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi, only for the Spanish giants to hesitate and allow the "unreal" talent to join Arsenal instead.
Alonso's Kroos Replacement Plan
Alonso, who took charge at the Bernabéu in May 2025, identified the need for a player in the mould of the legendary Toni Kroos following the German's retirement in 2024. He believed such a signing was fundamental to his project's success. The former Liverpool star pinpointed Real Sociedad's Zubimendi as the ideal candidate to anchor the midfield and orchestrate play from deep.
Despite Alonso's strong advocacy, the Real Madrid board was never "fully convinced" to make a move. This was in stark contrast to Arsenal, who had a long-standing agreement to bring the Spaniard to the Emirates Stadium in January 2025. According to reports from AS, there was a brief window where Real, through Alonso's representatives, attempted to convince Zubimendi to stay in Spain.
Real's Hesitation, Arsenal's Gain
The report claims Zubimendi "waited a few days" to see if a move to Madrid materialised. However, by the time Real made a tentative approach, it was too late. Arsenal had finalised a £60 million transfer, securing a player Alonso privately told his staff was a "missing piece of the puzzle."
Alonso departed Real Madrid in January 2026, less than eight months into his reign, following a Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona. He left with the club second in La Liga, four points behind their arch-rivals. His exit came after he had reportedly expressed frustration over the failed pursuit of Zubimendi, despite the summer arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono.
Zubimendi's Instant Impact at Arsenal
Real Madrid's loss has unequivocally been Arsenal's gain. Zubimendi has seamlessly integrated into Mikel Arteta's midfield, starting 20 of Arsenal's 21 Premier League matches and completing the full 90 minutes in 15 of those games. His presence has been transformative, allowing midfield partner Declan Rice to reach new heights this season.
Rice recently hailed his teammate's impact, telling Sky Sports: "He's been unreal. He's played so many minutes for us, the way he gets on the ball... you see the quality he brings, the calmness, the composure, the way he thinks." Rice emphasised that Zubimendi's intelligence, rather than physicality, is key, stating his brain "allows the team to function in such a good way."
The 26-year-old Spanish international has justified Arsenal's persistent pursuit and Alonso's high assessment, becoming one of the signings of the season and forming a formidable young partnership with Rice that promises to be a cornerstone for the Gunners' future.
