Alexander Mostovoy, a former star of the Russian national football team, believes Arsen Zakharyan will carve out a successful path in Spain, specifically with Real Sociedad. The Russian great says the new arrival is trusted by the club and that his talent will eventually shine through on a high level of competition. According to Mostovoy, the current football climate in Spain is tense, but the expectations around Zakharyan’s move are justified. He notes that the midfielder’s potential is evident, and the adaptation period is a natural part of joining a club in a different league and culture. In his view, the recent events surrounding Zakharyan should not deter him, and the path ahead is filled with opportunity for growth and achievement in La Liga.
Real Sociedad faced a setback on November 4 in a league clash against Barcelona, a game that ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Basque side. Ronald Araujo provided the decisive strike for Barça, while Zakharyan remained on the bench, watching the action unfold from the substitutes’ bench. The decision to bring him on, or to keep him out of the matchday squad, highlights the competition for midfield minutes and the strategies coaches employ when facing top-tier opponents. Such moments are often part of the early experiences for a new signing in a demanding league, offering valuable lessons about tempo, intensity, and tactical nuance at the highest level.
Earlier in the season, Real Sociedad announced the transfer of Arsen Zakharyan from Dynamo Moscow. His contract with the Spanish club runs through June 2029, signaling a long-term investment in his development and contribution. The midfielder made his competitive debut for Real Sociedad in the 75th minute of a match against Las Palmas on August 25, stepping onto the field with the clock already ticking. From that appearance onward, Zakharyan has featured in six La Liga games, with five of those being as a substitute. While he has not yet found the back of the net, the early minutes indicate a gradual integration into the team’s tactical system and a learning curve that is typical for players adapting to a new league, language, and style of play.
Throughout the transfer window and the initial weeks of Zakharyan’s tenure,Real Sociedad has focused on weaving his strengths into a cohesive team plan. The club value his ball-handling ability, vision, and versatility in midfield. The transition from Dynamo Moscow to a club competing for European places requires not only technical prowess but also mental resilience and confidence in the coaching staff’s plan. In the weeks that followed the move, supporters and analysts watched closely to see how the midfielder would respond to challenges such as language barriers, differing spacing in La Liga, and the pace of play that often tightens the margins in Spain. As with many players making a cross-border transition, the real test lies in consistent performances, training ethic, and the capacity to rapidly absorb tactical instructions. The dialogue around Zakharyan’s adaptation reflects a broader narrative about how players from Russia adapt to Western European football and how clubs calibrate expectations during the early stages of a signing.
Coaches and veteran players alike have weighed in on Zakharyan’s potential impact. A figure with a seasoned perspective on European football emphasized that Zakharyan possesses the talent to thrive given time and the right environment. The belief is that Real Sociedad’s culture of technical play, combined with disciplined tactical structure, could be the ideal setting for a midfielder with creativity, who can drive attacks and also contribute to ball retention. The developmental arc anticipated for Zakharyan involves gradually increasing involvement in key fixtures, with strategic substitutions that preserve freshness for late stages and important matchups. The process is a familiar one for clubs integrating promising signings into competitive squads, where patience and steady elevation of responsibilities often yield long-term rewards.
In the broader context, Zakharyan’s move to La Liga is part of a wider trend of young talents crossing into top European leagues from Russia and neighboring regions. Clubs that scout extensively and manage growth pathways tend to benefit from players who adapt quickly to the faster tempo and more physically demanding style of Spanish football. Real Sociedad’s approach to nurturing his abilities appears measured, balancing immediate contributions with the potential for development over several seasons. For fans following the player, the message is straightforward: there is confidence in his capacity to contribute meaningfully as he becomes more acquainted with the league’s rhythms and his new teammates’ expectations. The coming months are likely to reveal more about how Zakharyan translates his talents into consistent performances, how he builds chemistry with teammates, and how the coaching staff optimizes his role within the squad’s evolving strategy.
As Zakharyan continues to adapt, observers expect a period of adjustment that will pave the way for more prominent appearances and increased influence on the field. The club’s commitment to his long-term tenure underscores a belief that he can become a defining piece of Real Sociedad’s midfield puzzle. The early signs suggest a player who can mature into a reliable contributor, able to influence games with decisive passes, smart movement, and the kind of technical flair that elevates a team’s attacking options. Though the initial impact in terms of goals might not be immediate, the potential for growth remains a clear driver behind the transfer and the surrounding expectations. In time, supporters may witness a transformation that aligns with Zakharyan’s demonstrated capabilities and Real Sociedad’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions. The journey, it seems, is just beginning, with many chapters still to be written in the seasons ahead.