Martin Zubimendi believes Declan Rice has taken another step forward this season, admitting playing with Rice was part of the appeal of joining Arsenal.
Arsenal summer signing Martin Zubimendi has quickly formed a strong on-field partnership with Gunners club-record signing Declan Rice, with the midfield duo among the first names on the teamsheet for every big game at the moment.
Zubimendi believes the two players are helping each other to improve, adding that the chance to play alongside the England international was part of the appeal when joining Arsenal.
“I think this year he’s taking a leap forward,” Zubimendi said. “I’m happy to help him in that regard, he helps me too. A very complete player, physically, technically, set-pieces. His personality surprised me, he wants to be a protagonist in the dressing room.
“On the pitch, for a teammate like me, it’s vital having someone who wants to be a protagonist, who wants the ball. It’s the perfect complement.
“Once I came here one of things that motivated me the most was playing with player like Declan.”
It’s certainly not been a bad week for Rice on the pitch, after he was named in the Champions League Team of the Week for his Player of the Match performance in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Bayern Munich.
Only Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze have directly contributed to more goals than Rice’s eight this season (two goals, six assists). And that’s on top of everything the midfielder offers out of possession.
But even the top midfielders need the right partners to truly excel, and Zubimendi seems to provide the perfect balance to Rice’s roaming style of play. The task now is to immortalise that partnership with a few trophies.