James Goldman
Published November 30, 2025 12:39pm
Updated November 30, 2025 12:39pm
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Martin Zubimendi has made big impact at Arsenal since signing from Real Sociedad this summer (Picture: Getty)
Martin Zubimendi has hailed the influence of Declan Rice on Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title.
The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the clear favourites to end their 21-year wait to be crowned champions of England following a brilliant start to the campaign.
Progress under Mikel Arteta has never better been exemplified by the results of the past week during which Tottenham and Bayern Munich have both been vanquished at Emirates Stadium.
A visit to Stamford Bridge represents another acid test of Arsenal’s credentials but the flourishing partnership between Rice and one of their headline summer signings is giving cause for optimism.
The England international had already fully justified the club record transfer fee the north London club paid West Ham for his services two years ago but his game appears to have gone to another level alongside a new partner.
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Zubimendi signed for Arsenal 12 months after rejecting a move to Liverpool at the last minute and that decision has been fully vindicated given the state the two clubs find themselves in at present.
The former Real Sociedad star has hit the ground running but he credits Rice for having made is period of adaptation as smooth as possible.
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Previous Page Next Page‘Once I came here one of the things that motivated me the most was playing with a player like Declan,’ Zubimendi told Sky Sports.
‘I think he’s been a good player until this year, but I think this year, from what I see and how happy I see him, I think he’s taking a leap forward so I’m very happy to be able to help him in that regard. And he helps me too.
‘We all know how Declan is. A very complete player, pyhsically, technically, set pieces.
‘And his personality is something that has surprised me. He wants to be a protagonist in the dressing room.
Martin Zubimendi helps teammate Declan Rice of Arsenal put on the captains armband Picture: Getty Images)
‘And on the pitch for a teammate like me in midfield, I think it’s vital having someone who wants to be the protagonist who wants the ball, who helps you. It’s the perfect complement.’
Arteta, mwanwhile, believes there is more to come from Rice ahead of his battle with Chelsea’s formidable duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
The trio cost more than £300m overall with each signed for a nine-figure fee and amongst the best players in the Premier League this season.
Rice this week revealed he voted for Caicedo in his 2024-25 team of the year as debate over the better player rumbles on, but Arteta backed the England international to go up another level despite an impressive level of consistency over the past 12 months.
Declan Rice has been in outstanding form this season for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Asked if this is the best version of Rice, Arteta said: ‘Probably a year or two ago, yes, but now being with him every single day, understanding and connecting with him in the way I have done, we are going to get more.
‘Because he wants more, the team knows him better, his role is growing around the team. The impact he has on the team, it’s huge.
‘I knew him for a long time (before signing) and I knew how he could evolve and change the team. He has certainly done it and probably improved on those expectations.”
Rice’s best work at West Ham occurred in a more deeper position in front of defence, but Arteta has unlocked new levels to his game in an advanced midfield role.
Declan Rice of Arsenal has words with Moises Caicedo of Chelsea (Picture; Getty)
The long-serving Gunners head coach could not remember a specific fixture which convinced him to sign Rice, but always had his current position in mind.
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‘I would have to think about it but most of the time, if you have the option to see a player live and sense him, get that energy, presence and charisma, on top of his qualities, it’s something else,’ Arteta reflected.
‘Probably when he was around I said, ‘hmm, that’s a special player.’
“To be fair I had this one, I had another position that was a little bit further back to do something else and he can adapt to anything you throw at him.
“At the moment, that is what we were thinking, in front is probably much more positive for the team.”
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