In a post-match interview that sent shockwaves through the football world, Arsenal’s midfield maestro Declan Rice didn’t hold back. Following the Gunners’ commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Rice heaped praise on his new teammate Martin Zubimendi, labeling him an “unbelievable player.” But this wasn’t just routine teammate talk—this was a subtle dig at Liverpool, the club that Zubimendi famously snubbed last summer. As Arsenal soar to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, Rice’s words highlight how Liverpool’s transfer blunder has become Arsenal’s golden ticket.
Picture this: A year ago, Liverpool were the unstoppable force in English and European football. Under new head coach Arne Slot, they dominated the Premier League and cruised through their Champions League group. They were the team everyone feared, and Martin Zubimendi, the highly coveted Real Sociedad midfielder, was their top target. The Reds pulled out all the stops to lure the Spanish international to Anfield, but Zubimendi turned them down flat, opting to stay loyal to his boyhood club in San Sebastian. At the time, it seemed like a bold, perhaps risky decision. Doubts must have lingered in Zubimendi’s mind as he watched Liverpool’s rampage from afar—regret simmering like a quiet storm.
Fast forward to today, and the tables have turned dramatically. Zubimendi, now a £60 million summer signing for Arsenal, is thriving at the Emirates Stadium. The fans chant his name, his teammates rely on him, and the team is reaping the rewards of his composure and vision. Arsenal sit proudly atop the Premier League with a comfortable six-point lead, their defense impenetrable and their attack firing on all cylinders. Wednesday’s win over Bayern—featuring goals from Timber and others—propelled them to the summit of the Champions League standings too. It’s a dream start for Mikel Arteta’s side, built on years of meticulous squad building.
Declan Rice, who earned Player of the Match honors against Bayern, couldn’t contain his admiration for Zubimendi during his TNT Sports interview. “It’s been so easy to play with him,” Rice gushed. “We only signed him in the summer, and usually, it takes a while to build a connection. But from the first moment we had together in pre-season, I could just tell that I was going to play some good football with him.” Rice went on to describe their instant chemistry: “Our understanding of each other has been outstanding. He’s such a nice guy. He is the Spain No.6, and we know what Spanish No.6s are like—they’re the best at first-phase build-up, turning on the ball, playing forward, and into pockets. That’s exactly what we’ve got with him.”
But Rice saved his biggest bombshell for last: “We all trust him with the ball. If there’s a player on you, it’s just easy to give him the ball, and we all feel so confident with him. He has been so good for us—an unbelievable player.” That word—”unbelievable”—echoes like a thunderclap, especially when juxtaposed with Liverpool’s current woes. The Reds, once invincible, have plummeted into crisis mode, losing nine of their last 12 games, including a humiliating defeat to PSV Eindhoven on the same night Arsenal triumphed. Their midfield lacks the poise Zubimendi could have provided, and Ryan Gravenberch, last season’s standout, now looks lost amid the chaos.
Zubimendi’s impact at Arsenal is undeniable. His arrival has liberated Rice, allowing the England star to roam as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder rather than being shackled to deeper duties. A pivotal moment in the Bayern game summed it up: Zubimendi dispossessed Martin Laimer to win a corner, fired up the crowd, and set the stage for Arsenal’s opener. It’s these subtle, game-changing actions that make him indispensable—technically sharp, cerebrally elite, and effortlessly making the complex look simple. No wonder Rice calls it “so easy.”
Liverpool’s failure to land Zubimendi now looks like a monumental error. Their recruitment team must be kicking themselves, watching as Arsenal’s midfield duo dismantles Europe’s elite. While the Reds scramble to salvage their season, Arsenal’s foundations—bolstered by a stingy backline, creative attackers like Eberechi Eze, and the returning injured stars—appear rock-solid. Arteta’s project, years in the making, is paying dividends, and Zubimendi is the quiet architect holding it all together.
Of course, football’s fickle nature serves as a warning. Liverpool’s rapid rise and fall last season reminds us that success can be fleeting. But for now, Arsenal fans can revel in their good fortune. Thanks to Zubimendi’s decision—and Liverpool’s misfortune—the Gunners are the dominant force. As Rice’s “unbelievable” claim reverberates, one thing is clear: Arsenal didn’t just sign a player; they stole a gem that could define their era.
What a turnaround. What a bombshell from Declan Rice. And what a masterstroke for Arsenal.