Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has described Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi as the second best defensive midfielder in the world, behind Manchester City's Rodri. The comments come ahead of Spain's friendly against Serbia on Friday, with the European champions already qualified for this summer's World Cup.
Zubimendi has made an immediate impact in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium, featuring in all 31 Premier League matches so far. He has scored five goals in the league, while also playing eight Champions League games and three in the League Cup, scoring once in that competition. The former Real Sociedad player has helped Mikel Arteta's side to the top of the Premier League table, nine points clear of Rodri's Manchester City.
Speaking to TVE, De la Fuente said: 'After all the setbacks he went through, Rodri is back at a high level. I've said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions [when he was injured] that we are very fortunate. After all, in that position, the number 6 role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodri and Martin [Zubimendi].'
The Spain boss insisted the pair can play together, despite occupying similar roles. 'Of course they can play together. We can play that way [with a double pivot] perfectly well. In my idea of football, they may occupy a similar role, but they are different players with different characteristics. In fact, Martin is getting into the box more now and scoring goals, but he also has the qualities of a positional player, with balance and outstanding tactical awareness. Rodri has those same qualities too, so having them there gives us security, that kind of structure.'
