Paul Scholes Questions Arsenal’s £51M Zubimendi Move: “Where’s the Hole?”

Arsenal’s reported £51 million summer swoop for Martin Zubimendi has sparked a sharp reaction from former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who doubts the Real Sociedad midfielder’s ability to make a meaningful impact at the Emirates.

Despite reports that Zubimendi has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, and that only an official announcement remains, Scholes has openly questioned the logic behind the signing — especially with Declan Rice already occupying a similar role.

“What hole is Martin Zubimendi going to fill? I don’t see a hole there,” Scholes said on The Overlap.
“Declan Rice can do that role. I saw Zubimendi against United for Sociedad and I was not impressed.”

The 26-year-old has reportedly rejected interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, opting instead to work under Mikel Arteta in what appears to be a strategic depth-building move by the Gunners.

Opinion: Scholes Has a Point — But Is He Missing the Bigger Picture?

While Paul Scholes’ comments come from the lens of a one-off match observation, the criticism isn't entirely without merit. Declan Rice has been a revelation in midfield, and many fans also question if a £51m backup is wise business.

But there’s a broader strategic vision at play. Arteta is building a squad, not just a team — one that can rotate effectively, challenge for the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups. Zubimendi isn’t just a like-for-like defensive midfielder; he’s a calm distributor, press-resistant, and positionally intelligent — attributes Arsenal lacked when Rice had to shift positions last season.

And let’s face it — grabbing a player Barcelona wanted is always a win in the PR books.

Verdict: This Signing May Not Be About “Filling a Hole” — But Expanding Arsenal’s Ceiling

Football is no longer about having 11 stars, but 18-20 quality players. In that context, Zubimendi might just prove to be another shrewd addition to Arteta’s evolving tactical chessboard.

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