Goldbridge Reacts to Arsenal Signing Zubimendi and Arteta’s Future

Mark Goldbridge kicks off his latest video with enthusiasm over Arsenal’s acquisition of Martín Zubimendi, calling it a masterstroke of PR that conveniently redirects attention after their Champions League disappointment. He highlights how the timing of Fabrizio Romano’s “here we go” announcement—immediately after Arsenal’s loss to PSG and just before their crucial clash with Liverpool—was calculated to lift the spirits of disillusioned fans. For those calling for Mikel Arteta’s dismissal, Goldbridge says this signing announcement effectively punctures their narrative of doom.

He describes Zubimendi as a high-caliber midfielder who has been tracked by major clubs, including Liverpool, and argues he would seamlessly fit into any top Premier League setup—whether it’s Manchester City, Liverpool, or even Manchester United. While some United supporters have been critical of Zubimendi’s recent displays, Goldbridge defends the player, noting that form is fluid and one or two subpar games shouldn’t overshadow a consistently excellent track record. He praises Zubimendi’s tactical intelligence, passing vision, spatial awareness, and overall technical finesse, calling him one of the continent’s most exciting midfielders.

Goldbridge explains that the true impact of this signing lies in what it enables for Declan Rice. At West Ham, Rice was often restricted to deeper roles, but with Zubimendi assuming the anchoring responsibilities, Rice will gain more freedom to operate box-to-box. He draws a comparison to how Jorginho previously provided structural balance for Arsenal’s midfield, freeing up teammates to be more creative and expansive.

Though he acknowledges Arsenal’s midfield is already formidable, Goldbridge says this addition boosts their squad depth and positions them to be even more competitive in the title race. Still, he insists that signing Zubimendi alone isn’t sufficient. Arsenal must also recruit a world-class striker and address gaps on the bench if they’re to mount a sustained challenge. He cautions fans against dismissing depth signings—arguing that championship-winning teams are built on options, not just upgrades to the starting XI.

He criticizes the current lack of bench strength, contrasting it with deeper squads like those of PSG and even Aston Villa, and warns that without four to five meaningful additions, Arsenal risk repeating the same shortcomings next season. He references ongoing rumors around players like Nico Williams and urges the club to focus on enhancing overall squad quality, not just finding direct replacements.

Goldbridge closes the segment by acknowledging the growing discontent among Arsenal supporters regarding Arteta. He draws a parallel to his experience as a Manchester United fan during the Louis van Gaal era—where results weren’t disastrous, but belief in the long-term vision was lacking. Still, he stresses that Arsenal’s continued investment in Arteta—evidenced by the Zubimendi deal—shows clear intent to back him through another campaign. Only if Arteta fails to deliver the Premier League title next season, Goldbridge argues, will the club seriously consider parting ways.