Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘eye huge Leao move', Zubimendi in London to COMPLETE switch, Norgaard linked
'A quiet leader'
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has shared what Arsenal fans can expect from Martin Zubimendi.
He told the BBC: "His passing might sound simple, but he generally chooses well the one pass to do.
"He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps with fluidity and team confidence.
"He reads the game very well, without being the fastest midfielder - he has the puzzle of the team in his head.
"He is lately more up to driving with the ball and even getting into the box, and he would do that if he feels his team-mates can cover for him.
"But his main job is to help with build-up, sometimes going at the level of the centre-backs - make the game fluid, find the man with space, push the team forward, and do the same when it is the matter of applying pressure.
"He is very clever when it comes to deciding when to go or when not to go.
"A team player, a quiet leader. A key cog in the machine."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
24 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Tennis star Jiri Lehecka's girlfriend breaks down in tears live on BBC after his win over Brit Jack Draper
JIRI LEHECKA scored a brilliant win over Jack Draper - and it was all too much for girlfriend Lucka Neumannova. The Czech ace stunned the British No. 1 to book his place in Sunday's final at Queen's Club. 7 Jiri Lehecka girlfriend Lucka Neumannova was seen in tears in the stands Credit: BBC 7 Czech star Lehecka beat Jack Draper to reach his first-ever grass court final Credit: EPA 7 The track and field athlete has been supporting her man in London this week Credit: instagram @ 7 Neumannova is a 800m specialist and has been out and about in the capital Credit: instagram @ Lehecka smashed 16 aces on his way to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win in the London sunshine. And watching on from the Queen's terraces was stunning partner Lucka. Lehecka's energy-sapping win proved too much for the Czech athlete as she was overcome by emotion. She was spotted bursting into tears while applauding her man's efforts in scorching 30c heat. READ MORE ON TENNIS SMACK DRAPER Furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board in shocking Queen's meltdown Lucka was spotted supporting Lehecka in January as he advanced to the 4th round in the Australian Open. The pair have reportedly been dating since last year. A track and field athlete, Lucka has been embracing the London life over the past week. She uploaded a series of snaps to her 129,000 Instagram fans ahead of Saturday's semi-final at Queen's. 7 The pair have reportedly been dating since last year Credit: instagram @ 7 Neumannova appeared overcome in west London BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The 22-year-old tucked into strawberries and cream, before heading for a run around a nearby park. Lehecka will face either World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or Roberto Bautista Agut in Sunday's final. Medical emergency stops Jack Draper's Queen's match as distressed fans are picked up on TV The win was one of the biggest of his career and sees him reach a first-ever grass-court final. Lehecka said: "It means a lot, you don't beat a player like Jack every day. "I want to say thanks to [the crowd] for making it fair. "I know your favourite didn't win today, but I really appreciate you being fair and clapping when I hit a few good [shots]." It proved a day to forget for No. 2 seed Draper, who had been an overwhelming favourite to reach tomorrow's final. He let his frustration boil over midway through the match, smashing his racquet to bits and appearing to break the courtside ad hoardings. Despite failing to break a nine-year run without a Brit winner at Queen's, Draper's run to the semis was crucial for his ranking. Draper has now climbed above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz, cementing a top-four seeding at Wimbledon. He will therefore avoid Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the semi-finals.
BreakingNews.ie
44 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Nicolas Jackson says he is ‘so angry at myself' after red card in Flamengo loss
Nicolas Jackson apologised after his costly sending-off in Chelsea's Club World Cup implosion against Flamengo. The Senegal striker was shown a straight red card – just four minutes after coming off the bench – for an aggressive studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas in Friday's 3-1 defeat in Philadelphia. Advertisement It came amid a calamitous six-minute spell in the second period in which the Blues also conceded two goals to surrender their half-time lead. Jackson (centre) was dismissed after fouling Ayrton Lucas. Photo: Chris Szagola/AP. It was also Jackson's second dismissal in just four appearances having also been given his marching orders for a forearm crack on Newcastle's Sven Botman in a Premier League match last month. 'I want to say sorry,' Jackson wrote on Instagram on what was a 24th birthday to forget. 'To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. Advertisement 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' 🔴⚫️ A comeback win for @Flamengo ! #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 21, 2025 Jackson's moment of madness, in which he forcefully caught Lucas on the shin, effectively ended Chelsea's hopes of getting back into the Group D contest at Lincoln Financial Field. Advertisement Enzo Maresca's side were already reeling after Pedro Neto's well-taken 14th-minute opener was cancelled out by Bruno Henrique after 62 minutes and quickly followed by another goal for veteran Danilo. Wallace Yan wrapped up the scoring seven minutes from time, putting Flamengo in charge of the group and potentially making Chelsea's route through the tournament complicated. Defender Marc Cucurella suggested discipline was an area Jackson needed to work on. The defender told DAZN: 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game.' Advertisement Maresca did not deny the sending-off was damaging, though he tempered criticism by claiming it was not a clear-cut decision. Maresca said: 'Those six minutes completely changed the dynamic of the game. 'I'm not 100 per cent sure that it's a red card compared to the Newcastle one, but it can be and the referee decided it. 'It's a little bit of a bad moment for Nico in these things. He knows very well that both situations were not something good for the team.' Advertisement Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis, now the manager of Flamengo, backed Jackson to bounce back. 'It was a little mistake,' he said. 'It was a clear red for me but it is a small detail for a player who can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.' Chelsea, who now have three points from their opening two games, face ES Tunis in their final group game on Tuesday night (2am Wednesday BST).
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ian McLauchlan dead at 83: Lions legend dies as tributes pour in for ‘almost indestructible' star
FORMER British and Irish Lions legend Ian McLauchlan has died at the age of 83. The former Scotland captain represented his country 43 times as well as playing for the Lions on eight occasions. 1 The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
