Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Zubimendi with the midfielder heading to the Emirates from Real Sociedad in a £51million transfer

Martin Zubimendi, the 26-year-old Spain international, has joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad on a five-year contract for a fee of around €65million (£55.8m; $76.6m). Arsenal will pay more than Zubimendi’s €60million release clause but the compromise means they will be able to pay the fee in installments, rather than as one lump sum.

Such praise underlines why Arsenal have invested more than £50million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. With Jorginho and Thomas Partey departing, the club are overhauling the base of their midfield and they first started looking for a world-class No6 a year ago.