{"id":196,"date":"2026-03-26T20:14:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T20:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=196"},"modified":"2026-03-26T20:14:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T20:14:10","slug":"arsenal-star-named-worlds-second-best-in-his-position-only-behind-man-city-rival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=196","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal star named world&#8217;s second best in his position only behind Man City rival"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4134d2\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Manchester City midfielder Rodri is widely recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world and Spain boss Luis de la Fuente reckons Martin Zubimendi is right up there with him<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36794002\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal celebrates victory with Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36794002.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2262514852.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36794002.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2262514852.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36794002.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2262514852.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36794002.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2262514852.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says Martin Zubimendi and Rodri are the best No 6's in the world\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says Martin Zubimendi and Rodri are the best No 6&#8217;s in the world<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Martin Zubimendi has been branded as the second best defensive midfielder in the world after his international team-mate, Rodri, by the Spain head coach, Luis de la Fuente.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Arsenal star, 27, has made a seismic impression with the Premier League title favourites following his summer transfer from Real Sociedad, featuring in all 31 of their league games to date and contributing five goals. That has helped give them the edge over Rodri and Manchester City in the title race, with the former champions currently nine points behind Mikel Arteta&#8217;s men albeit with a game in hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Both Zubimendi and Rodri are currently preparing for Spain&#8217;s upcoming international friendly against Serbia, which takes place on Friday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And De la Fuente, who is fortunate to be able to call upon both players, insists they are the two best midfielders in the world.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_47b672\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">West Ham list extraordinary demands to clamp down on Arsenal&#8217;s potential title party<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_47b672\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Rodri drops Man City bombshell by opening door to stunning Real Madrid transfer<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAfter all the setbacks he went through, Rodri is back at a high level,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions (when he was injured) that we are very fortunate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAfter all, in that position, the number 6 role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodri and Martin (Zubimendi).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cOf course they can play together. We can play that way (with a double pivot) perfectly well. In my idea of football, they (Rodri and Zubimendi) may occupy a similar role, but they are different players with different characteristics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIn fact, Martin is getting into the box more now and scoring goals, but he also has the qualities of a positional player, with balance and outstanding tactical awareness.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36925550\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36925550\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.66\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rodri and Martin Zubimendi\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36925550.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2236592743.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36925550.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2236592743.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36925550.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2236592743.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36925550.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2236592743.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Rodri and Zubimendi are both with the Spain squad ahead of their friendly with Serbia on Friday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Rodri and Zubimendi are both with the Spain squad ahead of their friendly with Serbia on Friday<cite aria-label=\"Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cRodri has those same qualities too, so having them there gives us security, that kind of structure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Arteta underlined the impact Zubimendi has had at Arsenal back in January when he lavished praise on the midfielder back in January. He said: \u201cWhen we talk about Zubi, it\u2019s \u2013 what else can he do?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe can do whatever he wants. It\u2019s a bit similar to Declan Rice\u2019s qualities. We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he\u2019s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAnd he has a talent that when he gets into the final step and into the box, he is so composed. He sees the picture very clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36905637.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-2jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>England Official Store<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/england-fa-shop.sjv.io\/c\/344386\/852317\/11901?subId1=Mirror-football.london&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.englandstore.com%2Fen%2Fengland-national-team-football-kits-three-lions%2Ft-25619315%2Bd-9072656104%2Bc-340607%2Bz-9-3856279017\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Buy Now on England Official Store<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer&#8217;s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: <!-- -->ENGFREEDEL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City midfielder Rodri is widely recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world and Spain boss Luis de la Fuente reckons Martin Zubimendi is right up there with him Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says Martin Zubimendi and Rodri are the best No 6&#8217;s in the world(Image: Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}