Rice's Magic Wand Emoji Praises Zubimendi After Arsenal's 3-0 Win

Arsenal Declan Rice perfect message to Martin Zubimendi as Arsenal star makes feelings clear Latest Arsenal news following the Gunners' 3-0 win over Athletic Club on Saturday footballlondon Bookmark Share Comments Arsenal By Kieran King 07:43, 11 AUG 2025 Bookmark Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice of Arsenal (Image: Getty Images) Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Declan Rice has made his feelings clear on new Arsenal teammate Martin Zubimendi . The Gunners made the Spain international, 26, their second summer signing last month after completing the £5m arrival of compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. Zubimendi, who had been long linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the Gunners triggered his £51m release clause at Real Sociedad. Since making the switch, Zubimendi has slotted straight into Mikel Arteta's squad. Indeed, Zubimendi has impressed in pre-season and starred during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Athletic Club on Saturday . The Spaniard started in the base of Arsenal's midfield three alongside Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka offering support to Viktor Gyokeres up front. It's a formula that worked for the Gunners, who ran out comfortable winners with Gyokeres, Saka and substitute Kai Havertz finding the net at the Emirates. And following Arsenal's win against Athletic Club, Zubimendi took to Instagram to issue a message to the club's supporters. Alongside a number of images, he said in a caption: "Pre-season 25/26." New Arsenal teammate Rice decided to drop a wordless comment to Zubimendi and used the magic wand emoji, making it clear that he is a huge fan of the ex-Sociedad midfielder. Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes, Odegaard, Mikel Merino, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri were among the other Arsenal players to react, as they liked Zubimendi's post. Zubimendi has settled into life at Arsenal fast. It doesn't seem like he hasn't much time to adjust and is already showing what he can produce on the pitch. Indeed, speaking in an interview with the club's official website on Saturday, he said: "It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me. "I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. [Declan and Odegaard] are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all. "It was an important game because we came from two defeats. It's true that they were friendlies, but this club doesn't understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and start the pre-season with a good feeling." The win against Athletic Club was Arsenal's fifth official pre-season fixture of the summer, recording three victories and suffering two losses. Next up for the Gunners is their Premier League curtain raiser at Manchester United, with the game kicking off at 10:30pm next Sunday. KICK OFF - Arsenal F.C. pre-season guide 2025/26 The countdown is on to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign - and our pre-season guide is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead. As well as in-depth analysis and opinion on your club, we turn the spotlight on every team battling for top-flight glory - or simply survival in the toughest league in the world! Also full fixtures guide so you don't miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season. Get your copy NOW Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Football London Facebook X (Twitter) Comment More On Arsenal Martin Zubimendi Premier League Mikel Arteta Declan Rice

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice of Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)

Declan Rice has made his feelings clear on new Arsenal teammate Martin Zubimendi . The Gunners made the Spain international, 26, their second summer signing last month after completing the £5m arrival of compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.

Zubimendi, who had been long linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the Gunners triggered his £51m release clause at Real Sociedad. Since making the switch, Zubimendi has slotted straight into Mikel Arteta's squad.

Indeed, Zubimendi has impressed in pre-season and starred during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Athletic Club on Saturday . The Spaniard started in the base of Arsenal's midfield three alongside Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka offering support to Viktor Gyokeres up front.

It's a formula that worked for the Gunners, who ran out comfortable winners with Gyokeres, Saka and substitute Kai Havertz finding the net at the Emirates.

And following Arsenal's win against Athletic Club, Zubimendi took to Instagram to issue a message to the club's supporters. Alongside a number of images, he said in a caption: "Pre-season 25/26."

New Arsenal teammate Rice decided to drop a wordless comment to Zubimendi and used the magic wand emoji, making it clear that he is a huge fan of the ex-Sociedad midfielder.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes, Odegaard, Mikel Merino, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri were among the other Arsenal players to react, as they liked Zubimendi's post.

Zubimendi has settled into life at Arsenal fast. It doesn't seem like he hasn't much time to adjust and is already showing what he can produce on the pitch. Indeed, speaking in an interview with the club's official website on Saturday, he said: "It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me.

"I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. [Declan and Odegaard] are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all.

"It was an important game because we came from two defeats. It's true that they were friendlies, but this club doesn't understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and start the pre-season with a good feeling."

The win against Athletic Club was Arsenal's fifth official pre-season fixture of the summer, recording three victories and suffering two losses. Next up for the Gunners is their Premier League curtain raiser at Manchester United, with the game kicking off at 10:30pm next Sunday.