Anaitz Arbilla, 300 matches of pure Armero sentiment
Ten years defending the crest make the captain one of the great figures in the history of the club.
There are footballers who pass by. And there are footballers who stay. Anaitz Arbilla is one of the latter.
300 matches with SD Eibar are not just a number. They represent ten years defending a badge, competing every weekend, and representing what this club means both on and off the field.
Since his arrival in the summer of 2016, Arbilla has been much more than a defender. He has been character, personality, and stability. A constant point of reference in every season, in every category, and in every context.
Ten years being Eibar
Trained in the youth ranks of Athletic Club, after stints at Barakaldo, Polideportivo Ejido, Salamanca, Hércules, Rayo Vallecano, and RCD Espanyol, Arbilla arrived at Eibar with experience. But what he has built here goes beyond any previous trajectory.
300 matches. More than 24,000 minutes. 269 starts. 9 goals. Numbers that explain continuity. But they don't explain everything. Because his contribution is not measured only in minutes, but in presence. In being there. Always.
In the club's history, the ranking of matches is led by José Ignacio Garmendia with 443 games, followed by Artexe, Bixente, and Luluaga. With this figure, Anaitz Arbilla ranks in the historical Top 5, closing a list reserved for names that are part of SD Eibar's DNA.
Captain and role model
At 37 years old, Arbilla remains indispensable. This season proves it with 25 matches, 24 as a starter, and nearly 2,000 minutes, maintaining the competitive level that has accompanied him throughout his time as an armero.
But his influence goes beyond the pitch. He is a captain. He is a role model. He is the player everyone looks to when it comes to understanding how to train, how to compete, and how to represent SD Eibar.
For the squad and the youth academy, Arbilla is a role model. Of commitment. Of professionalism. Of loyalty.
Respect
In football, few things endure over time. Arbilla has done so for a decade. With hard work and without shortcuts. With performance. That is why the 300 matches are not just a milestone. They are a career that earns everyone's respect.
300 matches. Ten years. And a way of being Eibar.