AFTER being a chess sensation at 11, Martin Zubimendi knows the importance of thinking one step ahead at all times.
No doubt then, the Spanish midfielder would have been impressed by Arsenal’s patient and obsessive approach to signing him from Real Sociedad for £51million — a complex transfer 12 months in the making.
Zubimendi, 26, completed his Emirates switch on a five-year deal — the Gunners’ second arrival of the summer after spending £5m on Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Boss Mikel Arteta finally has his No 6 — an aggressive, snarling, ball-winning, midfield dictator who ruthlessly broke English hearts with an influential display in the final of Euro 2024.
Away from the pitch, he is quiet, shy, humble and unassuming but in the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa in 2011, he wiped the floor with rivals in an Under-12 chess championship triumph.
Zubimendi explained: “It’s a game that requires you to have everything under control. In both sports, the midfield is crucial because it defines the style of play.”
Despite Liverpool and Real Madrid threatening to derail the move, it was a transfer Arsenal always had under control.
Last summer, Arteta wanted to raid Sociedad for both Zubimendi AND Mikel Merino, sending then sporting director Edu to Marbella to thrash out the ambitious plan.
The Spanish club did not want to lose both, instead only letting Merino join in a £32m deal.
So Arsenal waited a year before activating his £51m release clause.
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But Zubimendi could also have joined Arne Slot’s Reds a year ago.
The midfielder isolated himself at home to consult his family.
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Eventually, Zubimendi rejected Liverpool after being persuaded to remain at his beloved Sociedad by coach Imanol Alguacil and sporting director Roberto Olabe.
Fast forward a year and the result was different as Arteta convinced his fellow Basque to make London his new home.
Arteta’s presentations are well known, leaving most players and agents astounded by the level of detail and care put into them.
SunSport understands that Arteta and Zubimendi had an instant connection, sold on the project and vision at the Emirates.
Madrid made a late play for Zubimendi in June with new manager Xabi Alonso a big fan — both are represented by the same agent too — but Arsenal were not concerned.
From March, the transfer had been fully signed off, allowing Arsenal to press on with other targets for the summer, including a new No 9.
The recruitment strategy used by Arsenal and Arteta evaluates players in a tier system, with ‘Tier One’ meeting all parameters to improve the squad and take the team to the next level. In short, ‘world class’.
SunSport understands that Zubimendi is the ultimate ‘Tier One’ signing, one that Arsenal took their time over before making checkmate.
A MIGRANT who threatened to kill Nigel Farage on his way to the UK is illegally broadcasting to his fans from inside prison, The Sun can reveal.
Mada Pasa, 26, provoked outrage last year when he posted videos online of his trip on a small boat.
They included one abusing the Reform leader.
The Sun can reveal he continues to post TikToks to thousands of his followers from HMP Wandsworth.
In one clip, posted this week, he poses with his hands in a gun sign.
In another he feeds the birds outside his window and can be seen banging his hand against his cell door.
Afghan Pasa, real name Fayaz Khan, was charged with making threats to kill last year after his video went viral.
He is due to go on trial in October.
Pasa, who has a Kalashnikov tattoo on his face, had millions of views on TikTok, which included videos of him with women sitting on his lap.
The Prison Service said: “We are aware of these videos and are investigating.”
DEAR DEIDRE: I SUFFER with painful knees and back pain – and I think it is because I pleasure myself too much.
I am a 42-year-old man.
My wife is 39 and we have been married for almost 18 years.
My wife moved back to India three years ago with our two children, and I made the difficult decision to stay in the UK and work as a delivery driver.
I send as much money to my wife as I can.
It means I cannot afford to visit home very often and I feel lonely.
To relieve sexual tension, I pleasure myself at least once a day.
I am worried my wife will know the reason for the pain is because I masturbate.
As much as I enjoy it, I can’t help feeling guilty. And I worry what my wife will say when I next see her.
I never mention the pain to her when we talk on the phone or FaceTime.
I just pretend everything is OK.
DEIDRE SAYS: Don’t feel guilty.
It’s normal to masturbate regularly.
Many people feel uncomfortable about self-pleasure because of conservative childhoods or cultural differences.
You won’t cause any harm to your body.
Masturbating can actually help to prevent prostate problems and alleviate stress.
The pains are likely to be as a result of your sedentary job or the way you sit.
Do talk to your GP, rather than struggle on alone.
My support pack, Worried About Masturbation? will reassure you.
DEAR DEIDRE: FINDING out that the man I called Dad is, in fact, my stepdad came as a huge shock to me.
I only discovered the truth when I had to get a passport.
I’m an 18-year-old woman, I have a younger sister and an older brother.
Never did I think that my summer holiday plans would lead to this life-changing revelation.
When my best friend and her parents invited me to their holiday home in France later this year, I realised I’d need a passport for the first time.
When I asked Dad for my birth certificate, he went quiet then told me he needed to tell me something.
Taking a deep breath, he explained how he had split up with Mum when my brother was two years old.
During their time apart, my mum started seeing someone else.
She became pregnant but the man she was with insisted she had a termination.
Mum refused and they split up.
I was born a few months later and she ended up getting back with Dad.
They went on to have my sister a few years later.
My siblings don’t look like me but I had never really thought about it.
Dad told me that he has brought me up as his own and treated me the same as my siblings, which is true.
But I am so upset about it all.
I’ve always been so close to my dad.
I keep bursting into tears and can’t focus on anything.
I don’t even want to go on holiday now. I just can’t think straight.
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DEIDRE SAYS: You have had a big shock that has turned your life upside down.
But please be assured, the man you call Dad is your dad in every way that matters.
That is not going to change.
You need to talk to your mum and dad about how finding out about this is making you feel.
Secrets in families can be very damaging and it is a shame that you had to find out about it this way.
It sounds as if your parents were trying to protect you.
But we know it’s best for children to learn about complex family dynamics in an age-appropriate way when they are still young.
Your dad chose to make you his child.
He has loved and cared for you and looked after you too.
You can all find support at PAC-UK, which helps with the similar issue of adoption (0300 1800 090, pac-uk.org).
And stick to your holiday plans with your friend because you will come to terms with this news in time.
DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my girlfriend told me she was 33, I lied to her and told her I was 32. I’m actually 23.
She has no idea that I am much younger than her – she doesn’t suspect a thing.
We met in a pub on a night out and I found her very easy to talk to.
Now we have been together for almost six months, have been on lots of dates, and have spent several weekends with each other.
As we are getting on so well, we have been talking about the future and have discussed marriage and children – the lot.
I am starting to feel guilty and worried about how she might react if I tell her the truth about my age.
I know I can’t keep it a secret from her for ever.
She wants to meet my family, which is a concern, and I worry that my parents won’t approve of her because she is older.
Should I tell her the truth?
Will the age gap be a problem for us?
DEIDRE SAYS: You’ve got to tell her but I can imagine how hard it will be to admit you weren’t truthful.
Tell her you love her and explain why you lied in the first place.
If your love is strong enough, your age should not be a big problem.
It’s the deceit and lying you have to explain.
My support pack, Age Gaps – Do They Matter? might be useful.
Your parents should accept your relationship if you’re confident and serious about each other.
DEAR DEIDRE: MY girlfriend has left me with so many cuts and bruises that I look like I’ve been in a boxing match.
I am 25 and my girlfriend is 22.
We had been together for almost a year until she accused me of cheating and ended our relationship.
I was gutted because it simply isn’t true.
We managed to sort things out and got back together again.
Everything seemed to be going well until we went to her house and she realised she’d left a bag of clothes at my flat.
She wanted me to go back to fetch them but I refused.
She went crazy and started punching and scratching my face and neck.
I left in a daze and thought that our relationship was over again but she texted me a couple of hours later telling me how sorry she was and admitting she was out of control.
She asked me if we could get back together.
I was surprised to hear from her so quickly because I was in shock at how violent she had been towards me and I told her I needed time.
I also told her that my face was a complete mess.
I do love her but I know deep down that the way she is treating me is not OK.
I really don’t know what to do.
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
Send an email to deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
DEIDRE SAYS: Your health and wellbeing should never be at risk in any relationship.
Your girlfriend sounds unpredictable and violent.
She caused you bodily harm and is being abusive towards you.
Please don’t stay with this woman a minute longer.
Abuse is usually repeated and tends to get worse.
You deserve to be with someone who will love and respect you, not treat you so badly and hurt you like this.
A CHAMPIONSHIP football club have admitted their new kit “isn’t to everyone’s taste” after fans savaged it on social media.
Watford revealed their new home kit, manufactured by Kelme for a sixth year running and sponsored by MrQ Casino, to fans last week.
The 2025/26 kit is a yellow base accompanied by faded red stripes.
However, fans tore into the kit upon seeing a bold blue font for MrQ Casino.
One fan on social media remarked: “This is what hell must looks like,” while another added: “Can it get any worse.”
Recognising this, the Hornets took the decision to NOT SHOW the kit their players will wear on the pitch next season in the kit marketing material.
Instead, they have shown off the kit in an unbranded state, and made sure every fan is aware they did everything in their power to not have the garish blue colour on it.
A statement said: “On-pitch, players’ shirts will feature front of shirt sponsorship from MrQ, though, mindful that the new, blue MrQ Casino logo may not reflect the values or preferences of all supporters, the shirt will once again be available to buy unbranded.“
On social media, the club also commented: “The logo on our new shirt isn’t to everyone’s taste.
“We really liked the previous black logo and we had lots of dialogue over the summer as we wanted to keep it black to complement the new shirt.
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“But our sponsors were insistent on their rebrand. Some may like it. Some may not. And for those who don’t, you can join the Q and get your unbranded shirt.”
Despite it not being on their marketing material, fans do still have the option to buy the branded shirt in the club’s website.
The men’s adult home shirt is available for £60, the same price as the unbranded version.
This is the same for the women’s team.
MrQ and Watford first partnered together in 2023.
The betting brand previously had a black and white logo, which had complemented Watford’s bright yellow colours.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: “We’re supposed to be Hornets… yellow and black.”
A second said: “The blue logo is just wrong.”
Another said: “So much better without sponsor.”
A fourth said: “That blue MrQ branding is also next-level bad.”
Furthermore, for the first time, the shirt is crafted from recycled polyester, reflecting the club’s commitment to sustainability.
Last season, Watford finished 14th in the Championship table.
The club go into next season with Paulo Pezzolano in charge after being announced as their new manager in May.
WESTLIFE star Shane Filane’s wife left fans gushing as she shared a “beautiful” tribute to her husband.
The Irish singer celebrated his 46th birthday over the weekend surrounded by close friends and family.
Shane‘s wife Gillian took to Instagram earlier today to share an adorable post marking her husband’s special day.
The Sligo native posted a loved-up snap of the couple during the celebrations.
Gillian looked effortlessly stylish in a beige jacket and a pair of sunglasses while Shane kept it casual in a white tee and black sunglasses.
The couple looked happier than ever as they cuddled up for the sweet snap.
The mum-of-three captioned her post: “Lovely birthday weekend for @shanefilanofficial.”
Fans and friends all flocked to the comment section to share their love for the post.
Priscilla said: “Beautiful couple.”
Leandro gushed: “What a beautiful picture. Happy Birthday @shanefilanofficial.”
Mandi wrote: “So cute.”
Sandra commented: “Very beautiful picture of a wonderful couple. Happy Birthday Shane.”
Another added: “A really beautiful picture of you two, you make a truly cute couple. Happy birthday again to Shane.”
Shane recently said he knows the “devastating” impact cancer can bring after losing both of his parents to the disease.
The Irish Cancer Society Relay For Life ambassador has urged people across the country to participate in their local Relay For Life or to bring the event to their local community.
The annual 24-hour events allow communities to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who lost their lives.
Participants team up and take it in turns to walk through the day and night, with someone always on the move during the period.
Shane has been a supporter of the organisation after losing his mum Mae to lung cancer in December 2019 and his dad Peter to pancreatic cancer in October 2020.
The 45-year-old has said he feels “proud and honoured” to be a part of the initiative.
The dad-of-three said: “I know first-hand the devastating impact cancer can have on a family, as I lost my mum and dad to the disease just nine months apart.
“I miss them every day, but I know they would be incredibly proud of my work today with Relay For Life.
Shane explained how “vital” it is for those who “have been touched by cancer” to join together.
He said: “Relay For Life is a magical, moving event that celebrates our cancer survivors in our communities, it helps give solace to those who have lost loved ones.
“Most importantly, it gives hope. Hope for better services, hope for better treatment, and hope for a future free from cancer.”
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
Send an email to deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
