Arsenal supporters will be hoping that new signing Martín Zubimendi can replicate the transformative impact Rodri had after his arrival at Manchester City. The Spanish midfielder joined Pep Guardiola’s side from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for £62.8 million, and has since become one of the Premier League’s most dominant holding midfielders, helping the Citizens lift several major trophies since his arrival.

In this article, we dive deep into the numbers—comparing Zubimendi’s last La Liga season with Real Sociedad to Rodri’s final campaign in Spain before his Premier League move.

We also track how Rodri’s key stats evolved after joining Manchester City to assess whether Zubimendi can follow a similar path of development under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Passing Ability: Can Zubimendi Match Rodri’s Premier League Evolution?

Rodri has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most reliable pass masters, orchestrating play from the base of Manchester City’s midfield with precision and authority. His ability to dictate tempo, recycle possession, and initiate attacking sequences has been crucial to Pep Guardiola’s system.

In this section, we analyze how Rodri’s passing metrics changed after leaving Atlético Madrid for Manchester City—from La Liga to the English top flight. We then assess whether Arsenal’s new midfield anchor, Martín Zubimendi, possesses the passing foundation and vision required to make a similar leap under Mikel Arteta.

Passes Completed per 90: How Zubimendi and Rodri Compare Before and After the Premier League Switch

In their final La Liga seasons before moving—or potentially moving—to the Premier League, Rodri and Martín Zubimendi posted strong but distinct passing metrics.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 57.78 passes completed per 90 (89th percentile in La Liga)
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 53.84 passes completed per 90 (74th percentile in La Liga)

Rodri’s ability to consistently find teammates saw a remarkable improvement once he joined Manchester City. In his debut Premier League season (2019–2020), Rodri completed 86.89 passes per 90 minutes, soaring to the 99th percentile among midfielders in the English top flight.

If Zubimendi experiences a similar jump in output under Mikel Arteta, his completed passes per 90 could also climb significantly—potentially into the high 70s or low 80s range, making him one of the Premier League’s top passers.

For added perspective on current Premier League standards:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 44.08 passes completed per 90 (70th percentile)
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 48.93 passes completed per 90 (80th percentile)
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 52.83 passes completed per 90

Zubimendi already ranks ahead of many current EPL midfielders in this area, and if his numbers follow a Rodri-like trajectory, Arsenal could be landing a midfield controller of elite caliber.

Pass Completion Rate: Can Zubimendi Match Rodri’s Accuracy in the Premier League?

When it comes to passing efficiency, Rodri has consistently set the standard—both in La Liga and after his move to the Premier League.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 90.8% pass completion
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 92.7% pass completion
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 83.6% pass completion

Rodri already had elite accuracy before leaving Spain, completing over 90% of his passes at Atlético Madrid. That figure climbed to 92.7% in his first season under Pep Guardiola, a +1.9 percentage point increase.

If Martín Zubimendi makes a similar leap, his pass completion rate at Arsenal could rise from 83.6% to approximately 85.5%—a level that would have placed him around the 52nd percentile in the Premier League last season.

It’s a respectable platform, but still leaves room for improvement for a player tasked with anchoring Mikel Arteta’s midfield and helping the Gunners break past three straight third-place finishes in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

For context, here’s how current Premier League midfielders performed last season:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 83.5%
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 89.2%
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 89.7%

While Zubimendi’s current pass accuracy trails some of the Premier League’s elite midfielders, a Rodri-like leap would put him close to the competitive bracket. Now joining an Arsenal side that thrives on possession-based football, Zubimendi will have the structure and support to elevate his passing game.

Progressive Passing Distance per 90 (Yards): Can Zubimendi Carry the Ball Forward Like Rodri?

Progressive passing distance per 90 measures how far a player moves the ball upfield with forward passes, in yards, over 90 minutes.

It highlights not just a midfielder’s vision, but their confidence in breaking lines and relieving pressure—essential qualities in a possession-based system like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 275.66 yards per 90 (87th percentile in La Liga)
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 397.04 yards per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 223.72 yards per 90

When Rodri moved to the Premier League, his progressive passing distance per 90 surged by 121.38 yards, a +44% increase. If Zubimendi’s numbers rise at a similar rate, his output could jump from 223.72 to approximately 322.2 yards per 90 at Arsenal.

With a figure of 322.2 yards per 90, Zubimendi would rank higher than several current Premier League midfielders:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 199.05 yards per 90
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 185.92 yards per 90
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 240.35 yards per 90

This would place Zubimendi firmly among the Premier League’s top progressive passers, reinforcing his potential to become Arsenal’s new deep-lying engine in possession.

Long Pass Accuracy (%): Can Zubimendi Distribute Like Rodri from Deep?

Long pass completion rate reflects how effectively a player connects long balls across distance—key for switching play, launching counters, or relieving pressure under a high press. It’s a vital trait in modern midfielders, especially those operating in deep roles.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 83.9% (95th percentile)
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 84.3% (97th percentile)
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 64.4% (68th percentile)

Rodri’s long pass accuracy rose marginally—from 83.9% to 84.3%, a +0.4 percentage point improvement after his move to Manchester City. If Zubimendi’s long ball accuracy improves at the same rate, he could reach 64.8% next season at Arsenal.

While that still leaves a noticeable gap compared to Rodri’s elite distribution levels, Zubimendi would already be outperforming several Premier League midfielders in this area:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 55.6%
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 61.5%
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 76.4%

Zubimendi’s current long passing puts him in a competitive range, and under Mikel Arteta’s system, and Arsenal faithful will hope he can improve further now that the quality of players around him are more quality than what he had at Real Sociedad (no disrespect for the club).

Key Passes per 90: Can Zubimendi Become a Creative Force Like Rodri?

Key passes per 90 offer insight into a midfielder’s ability to break lines and create shooting opportunities—crucial traits for any deep-lying playmaker looking to impact the final third.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 0.56 key passes per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 1.23 key passes per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 0.58 key passes per 90

Rodri nearly doubled his key pass output (+119.6%) after moving to the Premier League. If Martín Zubimendi makes a similar leap, his key passes per 90 could rise from 0.58 to approximately 1.27 at Arsenal.

That would place Zubimendi ahead of several established Premier League midfielders in this metric:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 1.56 key passes per 90 (78th percentile)
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0.74 key passes per 90 (38th percentile)
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 0.81 key passes per 90 (42nd percentile)

With a projected 1.27 key passes per 90, Zubimendi would be one of the most progressive deep-lying midfielders in the league—an ideal asset for Mikel Arteta’s attacking system.

Ball Carrying Distance per 90: Can Zubimendi Match Rodri’s Ball Control and Mobility?

Carrying Distance per 90 (Yards)

In modern football, a top-level defensive midfielder must not only pass well—but also be able to carry the ball effectively in any direction as

Whether driving forward, drifting sideways to shift the point of attack, or pulling the ball away from pressure to reorganize, total carrying distance per 90 minutes reflects a player’s composure, balance, and ball mastery.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 205.40 yards per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 351.42 yards per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 169.88 yards per 90

Rodri’s ability to control possession and shift momentum became even more dominant in the Premier League, as his total carrying distance per 90 jumped by 146.02 yards—a +71.1% increase. If Zubimendi experiences a similar growth rate, he could reach around 290.7 yards per 90 at Arsenal.

This would make him a standout carrier in the Premier League, ahead of many key midfielders in this area:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 130.65 yards per 90 (29th percentile)
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 212.24 yards per 90 (80th percentile)
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 184.83 yards per 90 (64th percentile)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 205.93 yards per 90 (76th percentile)
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 219.51 yards per 90 (85th percentile)

If Zubimendi reaches 290.7 yards per 90, he would rank among the Premier League’s elite in total ball carrying—an essential trait for Mikel Arteta’s tactical system, which thrives on added composure, spatial awareness, and control in tight midfield areas.

Progressive Carrying Distance per 90 (Yards): Can Zubimendi Break Defensive Lines on the Ball Like Rodri?

It’s one thing to carry the ball—it’s another to do it with purpose. Progressive carrying distance per 90 measures how far a player carries the ball towards the opponent’s goal, indicating attacking intent and line-breaking ability.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 88.59 yards per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 185.18 yards per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 77.42 yards per 90

Rodri’s progressive carrying distance more than doubled (+109.06%) after his move to the Premier League. If Zubimendi experiences a similar rate of growth, his progressive carrying distance could rise from 77.42 to approximately 162.0 yards per 90 at Arsenal.

Here’s how that projection compares to other top midfielders in the Premier League:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 69.57 yards per 90
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 106.58 yards per 90
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 90.89 yards per 90
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 108.13 yards per 90
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 118.77 yards per 90

If Zubimendi hits the 162.0 yards per 90 mark, he would instantly become one of the league’s most progressive carriers from midfield—bringing vertical thrust to Mikel Arteta’s system, and adding a new dimension to Arsenal’s transitions and buildup play.

Defensive Duties: Can Zubimendi Shield Arsenal’s Backline Like Rodri?

Beyond their contributions in possession, holding midfielders are primarily judged by their ability to protect the defense, break up play, and anticipate danger.

Interceptions

One of the clearest indicators of defensive intelligence is interceptions per 90 minutes, which reflects a player’s ability to read the game and cut out opposition passes.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 1.35 interceptions per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 1.34 interceptions per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 0.94 interceptions per 90

Rodri and Zubimendi displayed nearly identical interception rates in their final La Liga campaigns, showing strong defensive anticipation and positional awareness. Notably, after Rodri moved to the Premier League, his interception numbers dropped—likely a result of Manchester City’s dominant possession limiting defensive actions.

Compared to current Premier League midfielders, Zubimendi’s 1.34 interceptions per 90 would already place him near the top:

• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 1.71
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 1.32
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 0.80
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 1.13
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 0.76

Only Gravenberch had a higher interception rate, highlighting Zubimendi’s excellent reading of the game—a critical asset for anchoring Mikel Arteta’s midfield and supporting Arsenal’s defensive structure.

Ball Recoveries per 90: Can Zubimendi Match Rodri’s Defensive Work Rate?

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 9.21 recoveries per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 8.25 recoveries per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 4.25 recoveries per 90

When it comes to regaining possession, Rodri’s numbers were elite—both before and after his move to Manchester City. In contrast, Zubimendi averaged just 4.25 ball recoveries per 90 last season at Real Sociedad, meaning he’ll need to significantly raise his output to meet Premier League standards.

Here’s how he compares to other top EPL midfielders:

• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 6.15
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 5.50
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 5.13
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 4.97
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 4.44

To thrive in the physical and fast-paced nature of English football, Zubimendi must increase his defensive ball-winning output. If he can close the gap with Rodri’s post-transfer recovery levels, he’ll become a far more complete and reliable anchor for Mikel Arteta’s midfield.

Tackles Won per 90: Does Zubimendi Have the Grit to Win the Ball Back Like Rodri?

Tackles are often referred to as the “dirty work” in midfield—a key metric for judging a player’s willingness and ability to win back possession. In this regard, Martín Zubimendi still has room for improvement.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 2.53 tackles won per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 1.09 tackles won per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 1.12 tackles won per 90

Rodri won more than twice as many tackles in his final La Liga season than Zubimendi did in his most recent campaign. However, after Rodri’s move to Manchester City’s possession-dominant system, his tackling numbers dropped significantly—highlighting how tactical systems can influence defensive stats.

When compared to current Premier League midfielders, Zubimendi’s 1.12 tackles won per 90 still puts him behind many of the best:

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 2.01
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 1.96
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 1.71
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 1.00
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 0.80

To compete with England’s top ball-winners and help Arsenal move to the next level, Zubimendi will need to improve his tackling output—especially in big matches where off-the-ball discipline and defensive duels are essential for grinding out a result.

Aerial Strength: Can Zubimendi Dominate the Air Like Rodri?

Aerial duels are a key part of a defensive midfielder’s skill set, especially in the Premier League, where physicality and set-piece threats are constant. Dominance in the air can help win second balls, defend long passes, and provide an attacking edge during corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins.

Aerial duels won per 90

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 2.53 aerials won per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 2.06 aerials won per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 1.61 aerials won per 90

While Zubimendi will need to increase his aerial duels won per 90 to match Rodri’s impact at Manchester City, he already outperforms several established Premier League midfielders in this area:

• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1.18
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 0.94
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 0.90
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0.74
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 0.66

With 1.61 aerial wins per 90, Zubimendi is clearly not weak in the air, and with added Premier League experience and physical adaptation, he could become a reliable aerial presence in Mikel Arteta’s midfield setup, both defensively and during attacking set pieces.

Aerial Duels Success (%): Zubimendi’s Intelligence in the Air

Aerial duel success rate reflects not just physical dominance but also a player’s timing, positioning, and judgment in contested situations. A high percentage indicates that the player knows when to challenge, when to jump, and how to win consistently in the air.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 68.8% (97th percentile)
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 66.3% (96th percentile)
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 62.4% (90th percentile)

While Rodri has consistently shown elite aerial duel success, Zubimendi’s 62.4% win rate is also highly impressive—placing him in the 90th percentile last season. He’s not just contesting aerials—he’s winning them with efficiency and intelligence.

Here’s how he compares to current Premier League midfielders:

• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 68.6%
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 65.0%
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 59.7%
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 50.9%
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 35.5%

Zubimendi outperformed both Declan Rice and Thomas Partey in aerial success last season—a clear upgrade for Arsenal in terms of aerial efficiency in midfield.

However, to reach the top of this category in the Premier League, he will need to push closer to the levels of Moisés Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch, who currently lead the way among elite midfielders in this comparison.

Errors

Miscontrols per 90 – Will Zubimendi Stay Composed Under Premier League Pressure?

Mental focus and technical discipline are just as important as creativity and defensive solidity—especially in high-stakes matches. Miscontrols per 90 measure how often a player fails to properly control the ball, often due to pressure or lapses in concentration.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 0.66 miscontrols per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 0.80 miscontrols per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 1.19 miscontrols per 90

Rodri’s miscontrols rose by 21.2% after his move to the Premier League—likely a reflection of the faster pace, higher intensity, and tighter marking in the English game. If Zubimendi’s miscontrols increase at a similar rate, he could average approximately 1.44 miscontrols per 90 at Arsenal.

That would place him in the range of several current Premier League midfielders:

• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 1.57
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1.15
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 1.07
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 0.99
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 0.77

While Zubimendi already records more miscontrols than most, a slight increase in the Premier League would not be unusual. However, minimizing errors will be critical if he is to help his new team and become a trusted presence in Mikel Arteta’s high-possession, high-responsibility midfield structure.

Dispossessed per 90: Will Zubimendi Handle Premier League Pressure on the Ball?

For defensive midfielders, losing possession near their own goal can be costly—often leading to dangerous counterattacks or even conceding goals. For that reason, dispossessions per 90 is a critical stat for evaluating composure and press resistance under pressure.

• Rodri (2018–2019, Atlético Madrid) – 0.95 dispossessions per 90
• Rodri (2019–2020, Manchester City) – 1.01 dispossessions per 90
• Martín Zubimendi (2024–2025, Real Sociedad) – 0.52 dispossessions per 90

Rodri was dispossessed more often than Zubimendi during his final La Liga season. After moving to the Premier League, Rodri’s dispossessions per 90 increased by 6.3%—from 0.95 to 1.01—likely due to faster tempo, more aggressive pressing, and tighter marking.

If Zubimendi experiences a similar increase, his dispossessions per 90 could rise from 0.52 to approximately 0.55.

That would still make him one of the least dispossessed midfielders in the Premier League, when compared to:

• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1.02
• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 0.74
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 0.76
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 0.67
• Thomas Partey (Former Arsenal) – 0.55

Zubimendi’s low dispossession rate is already elite, and even with a slight EPL adjustment, he is likely to remain one of the most secure midfielders in possession—a crucial trait for maintaining control in high-stakes situations under Mikel Arteta.

Conclusion: Can Zubimendi Become Arsenal’s Version of Rodri?

Martín Zubimendi’s numbers reveal a player with strong foundational qualities and plenty of potential—especially when viewed through the lens of Rodri’s evolution from La Liga to Premier League dominance and considering he is still relatively young.

While Zubimendi may not yet match Rodri in areas like ball recoveries, aerial duels won, or tackling volume, he already displays elite composure on the ball, an excellent interception rate, and greater aerial success than several current Premier League midfielders.

Crucially, Zubimendi’s low dispossession rate, sharp positional sense, and efficient passing provide a strong platform to thrive in Mikel Arteta’s system—one that rewards press resistance, intelligent movement, and calmness under pressure. If he adapts to the intensity and tempo of the English game the way Rodri did, Zubimendi could evolve into a midfield anchor of the highest order.

He won’t replicate Rodri overnight—but the trajectory, stylistic similarities, and tactical fit suggest that Arsenal may have found their own version of the Spanish metronome, capable of dictating play, protecting the backline, and helping Arteta’s side take the final step from contenders to champions.