flobaba oh, I definitely think it was leaked by our team. Ornstein doesn't get as much information on Arsenal these days, but in my experience he doesn't really lie - he usually just stops talking. So when Ornstein says that the anticipation inside Arsenal is that Zubimendi is coming, I'd say the anticipation inside Arsenal was/is that Zubimendi is coming.

Whether the leak was on purpose is a different question. It might've been because supporters were unhappy with the lack of signings, or someone talks when they shouldn't.

    Gazza M I disagree with that, he is exactly what we need there. We basically need a younger and more mobile version of Jorginho which is what Zubimendi would cover. A metronome passer who controls our tempo. Every top club in Europe want him, there is a reason for that.

    Thomas Partey has played 20+ games as our CM this season, his passing range is pretty good but hasn't really spiced up our play. Our bland play is more down to our No.10 and wide players, well one wide player because Saka is superb.

        Zubimendi leak was obviously timed to quell unrest after we did nothing in the January window. Not that him to Real is a done deal either, these things are still always open until they are not. How many times were Chelsea and City ready to take Rice away from us?

          JazzG I'm not sure, it's also because we can't move the ball quickly enough. We generally look more fluid and creative with Jorginho, despite his shortcomings. A Zubimendi type player is really a must.

          • CPM likes this.

            JazzG his passing isn't close to jorginhos, or parteys for that matter. watch the next few sociedad games and you'll see the difference

                Qwiss Spain have multiple daily newspapers who just need to fill pages with rubbish about Barca and Madrid. A lot of what comes out is madness. But Real desperately need a real metronome

                  SimplyThePest interestingly, he has very similar progressive passing distances and completion percentages to Partey. Other interesting player in the wild is Pavlovic at Bayern. But he doesn't start a lot because he has two incredible mids ahead of him and he's always sick, but at 20 years of age, he is one to watch

                    He's a good player but De Jong is better IMO. Barca have a lot of talents in that area especially with Bernal coming back from injury, so I believe they'd be ready to do a deal. Only potential stumbling block are his wages.....

                      Yeah. I’d take Zubi over him. Watch some Zubi games. He can help us with speeding things up. Thing I like about him is like Ousmaane Dembele, he is very two footed which means he can distribute both sides quickly and even when under pressure. Note that Partey has a right side bias.

                      And then we can solve the other aspects of speed with Ekitike and Nico

                        Zubi is top of my list. I do wonder if this Real stuff is why we are back on Guimares, who I'd also be happy to sign. I'm not sold on DeJong, he's a good player but wages, injuries and generally never quite reaching his potential make me a bit luke warm on him.

                        Claudius And then we can solve the other aspects of speed with Ekitike and Nico

                        I've got tickets for Athletic v Rayo Vallecano when in Bilbao in a couple of weeks time - looking forward to seeing Nico in action.

                          Would be a blow to lose him. Orny seems to think he's still coming.

                          I don't think there's much truth to the Guimaraes rumors personally. I don't think any of the big sources have run with them and it's just been lower tiered sources saying that Berta likes him. If we truly are after Isak this summer, we wouldn't go after both IMO.

                          Ornstein seems pretty convinced that the reports Real are in for Zubimendi are false. I think we will get him and I think he's going to be a very good signing for us. I've been very excited with what we have seen from Rice in the last 2-3 months and have less hesitation about letting him be the long term all action 8, especially with someone like Zubimendi holding it down behind him. That partnership could be great next year - I hope we get him in early so he can start training with the team as soon as pre-season starts to limit any adjustment period.

                          • CPM likes this.

                          Zubimendi looks pretty good defensively. More of a metronome passer, doesn't have Partey's range/creativity I don't think, but still looks a top player to me.

                            CPM I wouldn't pretend to be an expert but this video seems to suggest otherwise.

                            • est replied to this.

                                The analysis of Zubimendi seems all wrong to me. I think he's more progressive than any of our midfielders, and I think all the stats are essentially wrong because they don't take the reality of La Real into account.

                                  Coombs and I know nobody likes NT stats with small samples, but I think they're more relevant to Arsenal and he blows our guys out of the water.

                                    I at least am not looking at stats. I use match comps to judge potential transfers. There's a good number on Zubimendi, and this is the picture I get: surprisingly robust defensively, very precise tackler, turns beautifully with great ball control, keeps it simple, plays deft and tidy passes, and very good resisting pressure. Lots of short, sideways, and backwards passes. Less adventurous than Partey, but steadier as well. He would be a good complement to Rice and our more dynamic inverted fullbacks.