Martin Zubimendi Transfer News: Arsenal head into the November international break five points clear at the top of the Premier League, with 27 points from 10 games and back-to-back 1-0 league wins at Liverpool and against Hull.
Winning has not simplified selection, and midfield is the most crowded part of Mikel Arteta’s squad. Bruno Guimaraes arrived this summer in a reported £75m deal; Myles Lewis-Skelly has settled in the middle of the pitch, and Declan Rice and Mikel Merino still push for starts.
Martin Zubimendi has lost out. He played all 38 league games last season and started 34 as Arsenal won the title, yet he has not started a Premier League match this time and has managed roughly 380 minutes across 12 appearances in all competitions.
TEAMtalk reported on 3 November that the 27-year-old would consider January offers, while Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked.
His strengths are clear, as only Saliba and Gabriel won more aerial duels in the squad last season, only Saliba and Rice recovered possession more often, and he reads danger early. The weaknesses show too. His form dipped through the spring; he rarely creates chances, and Guimaraes carries the ball upfield with far more menace.
What Zubimendi has said
The player has now answered back. According to Matt Verri of the Evening Standard, he told Marca on Spain duty that the Atletico talk is untrue and asked the press to take more care. He added that a story which fails to materialise is quickly forgotten, while he still has to deal with the messages it creates.
Zubimendi described himself as calm and patient, and said Arteta set out the selection plan in pre-season. Asked whether he will stay until at least the summer, he said he hopes so, adding: “I’m happy there.”
“To be honest, I’m sometimes surprised by the press,” Zubimendi said.
“I understand that the winter transfer window is approaching and rumors can surface, but I think we need to be a bit more careful with what we publish.
“Ultimately, everyone has a team they play for, and we need to respect that. I’ve also read that I might be close, but not at all.
“Often a news story comes out, and it seems that if it doesn’t come true, it’s quickly forgotten and nothing happens. I’m learning how this world works and getting used to it, but sometimes I could avoid a lot of the messages I receive because of this kind of news.”
Asked if he will remain at the club until at least the summer, Zubimendi added: “Yes, I hope so. I’m happy there.”
Martin Zubimendi Transfer News: Should Arsenal keep Zubimendi in January?
Yes, for practical reasons. Rice has no like-for-like cover without him, since Merino is more naturally a runner into the box and Lewis-Skelly offers more on the ball than in front of the defence. A January sale makes little sense. Champions League knockout ties are coming; one Rice injury would expose the base of midfield, and Arsenal would struggle to recoup the roughly £55m they paid.
A loan would remove the cover without bringing money in. Revisit it in the summer if Guimaraes and Lewis-Skelly have kept their places. Until then, a title-winning anchor is worth more as February insurance than as a January fee.
