MARTIN ZUBIMENDI has already reached new heights at Arsenal without kicking a ball.The Gunners’ £51million signing is all smiles overlooking an incredible skyline on the tallest rooftop bar in Singapore.Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi has reunited with ex-Real Sociedad team-mate Mikel MerinoArsenal had been wanting to sign both Zubimendi and Merino since last yearZubimendi and Merino also play together for Spain and won Euro 2024Merino will work as a mentor for Zubimendi at ArsenalARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours from the EmiratesAnd it is fitting that he is sat next to his old Real Sociedad and Spain pal Mikel Merino, given the pair were involved in an audaciously orchestrated double-whammy transfer by Arsenal and boss Mikel Arteta stretching back 12 months.Arteta wanted to bring both to the Emirates last summer, but with Socieded reluctant to lose two midfielders in the same window, a deal was struck to allow Merino to leave in August 2024 and then Zubimendi to join him the following season.It was a pre-agreed transfer masterplan complicated by Liverpool’s attempts to snatch Zubimendi last summer too.But when talks with Arne Slot’s Reds collapsed, Arteta pounced and the transfer was finally rubber-stamped in March – even amid a late play from Real Madrid.When told about Arsenal’s unique negotiation tactic, Merino admitted: “I didn’t know [Zubimendi] was coming. We were really focused on the present.“We didn’t speak much about it. Even with the national team we didn’t touch that subject. We didn’t talk about our future, but I’m really happy for him to be here.“We have a great relationship. Hopefully we can keep building our story together in this great club.”San Sebastian-born Zubimendi said: “It wasn’t an easy time because initially I was thinking about staying at Real Sociedad but when important offers came up I would think about new things.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to stay at Sociedad. It wasn’t the right time [to leave last summer].“I saw that Sociedad was still a step forward for me and the things I had to give were important. So the best thing for me was to stay. “I don’t know what [Arteta] saw in me but what I saw in him is that he’s a top coach in Europe.“When I wanted to leave I wanted a quality coach. I’ve seen how obsessive and detailed he is with his game so I think I’ve found the right one.“It’s a change for me. It’s the change I wanted. And since the first day I’ve been here I’ve noticed the greatness of this club and I’m adapting.”Arteta is plotting more elite, mega-money incomings, with Sporting Lisbon striker and long-term target Viktor Gyokeres on the verge of joining for £63.5m.But as things stand, Zubimendi is Arsenal’s statement arrival this summer and knows the pressure is on to be one of the missing pieces of the jigsaw in the club’s bid to go from Prem runners-up to champions for the first time in 21 years.On if he can be the difference maker, Zubimendi said: “Hopefully. The most important thing this club has is that it learns from previous seasons.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates“That is going to be key to being even closer to the goals they set. Ultimately, football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League. “Arsenal were the only team in that semi-final who truly stood up to PSG, and they let it slip because of minor details.”At the end of the day, football is all about the details. I followed them in the Champions League and in that semi-final [defeat], Arsenal were the only team that really put their face to the Paris Saint-Germain and they really missed the details.”The Spain international – who played a starring role in his country’s Euro 2024 final triumph over England – is a masterful dictator of the ball from deep, but also a dogged and willing defender. It is no surprise that he looks up to Manchester City’s Rodri.Asked what Arteta expects from him in Arsenal’s midfield three, Zubimendi – who could make his debut in a friendly against AC Milan on Wednesday – continued: “He is a coach who demands a lot of things from the midfielders.TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOWMerino to mentor Zubmendi“I’m going to try and do things I didn’t do before from that position: give the ball a balance and give it the right way out.”Merino says he will act as a mentor for Zubimendi – who he played with at Sociedad between 2019 and 2024, and still does with the national team – and will even help him look for a house near the club’s London Colney base.Merino added: “We have the same mentality of being close to the training ground so we can spend more time there and not waste too much time in the car driving because traffic in London is crazy. It’s about football first and then life.“I don’t have any advice to give him because he’s an amazing player. The only thing I would say is to be patient when things are not going your way.“You need time to adapt. But he is going to be ready. He is really smart. He’s here because this club provides you with the right atmosphere to build big things, to fight for the big titles.”***Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were speaking at adidas’ launch of Arsenal’s 2025/26 away shirt. To buy, visit: https://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/shopbyplayer/MARTIN-ZUBIMENDI***