Martín Zubimendi, di Spanish midfielder wey join Arsenal from Real Sociedad for 70 million euros, don yarn say im first season for di Premier League don dey positive overall. Even though e don sit for bench for four matches straight, e still believe say e don show wetin e get.
Di 27-year-old, wey be part of di Arsenal squad wey win Premier League after 22 years and reach Champions League final, talk say e don make efforts wey e never make before. ‘I don make efforts wey I no dey do before, and e don tire me small, but now I dey 100% again,’ e tell journalists during Media Day for Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Zubimendi, wey be European champion with Spain, say di Premier League victory give di team confidence for di Champions League final against PSG for Budapest on Saturday. ‘We get plenty hope and confidence. I believe say e go be fine final,’ e yarn.
When dem ask am if e see himself for starting eleven against PSG, e answer: ‘Yes, I always see myself. Wetin go happen na different matter. E true say I no dey start recent, but I dey ready.’ E no fit explain why Arteta dey leave am for bench: ‘I no know. Ask di gaffer.’
Di midfielder, wey don play 56 matches dis season (eight as substitute), be di third most used player by Arteta. Only Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice get 54 appearances each. Zubimendi don score six goals and give three assists, making dis im most prolific season for career.
According to Opta Joe, Zubimendi be di second debutant ever to win Premier League while playing every match, after Jens Lehmann for 2003-04. Harvey Downes also report say Zubimendi don break Pat Jennings’ record for most matches in a season for Arsenal (56 vs 55 for 1977-78).
Di Spanish international, wey dey among Spain’s 26-man squad for World Cup, talk about di final: ‘We no start to tink about di match. E go tough, but we get our weapons and we go use dem well.’ E add say di team no dey focus on whether dem be favorites: ‘Once you dey field, e no matter.’
Zubimendi yarn say di support from Spanish-speaking players and staff don help am settle. ‘For me, di Spanish language don be help from start. Di Latinos get passion and fight wey give us plenty for field. I no know wetin we get, but we get something,’ e yarn.
