Zubimendi losing influence at Arsenal | OneFootball

Martin Zubimendi has seen his role diminish at Arsenal this season, totalling just 89 minutes across the opening five Premier League matches, all from the bench.

Diario Vasco notes that competition in midfield has intensified after Lewis-Skelly’s emergence and the 90 million arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. Lewis-Skelly now partners Declan Rice, with Guimaraes the third option and a starter in the last league game.

Mikel Merino is also back after a foot injury and strong World Cup, adding to the squeeze. Arteta has even used Zubimendi at full-back, a position he had never previously played.

That switch began on 15 September in the Carabao Cup at Ipswich Town, when Ben White’s muscular issue meant he started at right-back and supplied an assist in a 4-2 win. He had also filled in on the final day last season, and may continue there as an inverted option to strengthen build-up in a 3-2-4-1.

Even so, he remains a secondary figure, starting only that Ipswich tie and making seven further cameos, including five in the league, plus the Community Shield and the Champions League in Naples.

Rumours already link him with Real Madrid, PSG and Chelsea, where Xabi Alonso is in post and previously coached him at Sanse. He is under contract until 2030, and Arsenal do not contemplate a sale after paying 70 million last summer.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”