Spain manager says Arsenal have the ‘second-best midfielder in the world’

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente believes Arsenal have the second-best midfielder in the world behind Manchester City star Rodri.

Rodri has been one of the most influential players in world football over the past decade, helping Man City win four Premier League titles, four domestic cups and the Champions League.

The 29-year-old won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, becoming the first Manchester City player to win the award and just the second male Spanish player.

De la Fuente believes Rodri is the ‘best in the world’ in his position but insists his Spain teammate Martin Zubimendi is not far behind.

Zubimendi has enjoyed an impressive first season at Arsenal following his move from Real Sociedad, helping the Gunners move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and challenge in two other competitions.

Mikel Arteta’s £60m summer signing will compete with Rodri for a place in the Spain team at this summer’s World Cup but De la Fuente insists they could ‘play together’ as the European champions look for more silverware.

‘After all the setbacks he went through, Rodri is back at a high level,’ De la Fuente told TVE ahead of Spain’s friendly against Serbia on Friday night.

‘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].

‘So I will get ahead of a question you are probably going to ask: can they play together? Of course they can play together.

‘We can play that way [with a double pivot] perfectly well. In my idea of football, they [Rodri and Zubimendi] 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.

‘But at the same time, you have to remember that only 11 can start. Then you would ask me: what about Pedri? And Fermin [Lopez]? And Fabian [Ruiz]?’

International teammates Rodri and Zubimendi were in opposite dugouts on Sunday as Manchester City faced Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.

Rodri impressed at Wembley while Zubimendi was one of several Arsenal players to underperform as Man City ran out 2-0 winners thanks to Nico O’Reilly’s brace.

Arsenal can get revenge on Manchester City by beating Pep Guardiola’s side to the Premier League title, currently boasting a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

It remains to be seen whether the Carabao Cup final has an impact on the title race but Rodri insisted Man City would ‘fight until the end’.

‘We knew today was a very important match, not only because of what the title means but also because of what it means to beat the team in best form,’ he said.

‘It’s a game not only for this title but to show that we can beat them. There’s still a long way to go and it’s clear we didn’t want to get off the Champions League train.

‘We’ve been eliminated but we have to look at the positive side that we have more time to prepare for the matches.

‘That’s an incentive to take into account and we’ll fight until the end.’

Arsenal’s next Premier League game is a home match against Bournemouth on April 11. Manchester City visit Chelsea the following day.

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