Declan Rice perfect message to Martin Zubimendi as Arsenal star makes feelings clear

2 hours ago 7

Declan Rice has made his feelings clear on new Arsenal teammate Martin Zubimendi. The Gunners made the Spain international, 26, their second summer signing last month after completing the £5m arrival of compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.

Zubimendi, who had been long linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the Gunners triggered his £51m release clause at Real Sociedad. Since making the switch, Zubimendi has slotted straight into Mikel Arteta's squad.

Indeed, Zubimendi has impressed in pre-season and starred during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Athletic Club on Saturday. The Spaniard started in the base of Arsenal's midfield three alongside Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka offering support to Viktor Gyokeres up front.

It's a formula that worked for the Gunners, who ran out comfortable winners with Gyokeres, Saka and substitute Kai Havertz finding the net at the Emirates.

And following Arsenal's win against Athletic Club, Zubimendi took to Instagram to issue a message to the club's supporters. Alongside a number of images, he said in a caption: "Pre-season 25/26."

New Arsenal teammate Rice decided to drop a wordless comment to Zubimendi and used the magic wand emoji, making it clear that he is a huge fan of the ex-Sociedad midfielder.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes, Odegaard, Mikel Merino, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri were among the other Arsenal players to react, as they liked Zubimendi's post.

Zubimendi has settled into life at Arsenal fast. It doesn't seem like he hasn't much time to adjust and is already showing what he can produce on the pitch. Indeed, speaking in an interview with the club's official website on Saturday, he said: "It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me.

"I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. [Declan and Odegaard] are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all.

"It was an important game because we came from two defeats. It's true that they were friendlies, but this club doesn't understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and start the pre-season with a good feeling."

The win against Athletic Club was Arsenal's fifth official pre-season fixture of the summer, recording three victories and suffering two losses. Next up for the Gunners is their Premier League curtain raiser at Manchester United, with the game kicking off at 10:30pm next Sunday.

The countdown is on to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign - and our pre-season guide is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead.

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