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.

ARSENAL have landed their “Tier One” £51m signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The 26-year-old Spaniard arrives at the Emirates on a five-year-deal – the Gunners’ second capture

Their hands were kept off the Premier League trophy by Liverpool last season, and they were denied a place in the Champions League final by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain after making it to the last four, as Mikel Arteta's side once again proved they stand on the edge of greatness.