Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is reportedly seeking a departure from the Emirates Stadium only five games into the new campaign, delivering a significant blow to manager Mikel Arteta’s squad depth.
Martin Zubimendi pushes for Arsenal exit just five games into new season
Martin Zubimendi Pushes for Arsenal Exit Just Five Games into New Season
The Spanish international joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad in July 2025 for £60million and played an instrumental role in Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph last season, featuring in all 38 league matches.
However, the 27-year-old has since fallen down the pecking order under Arteta.
Zubimendi has managed just 59 minutes across Arsenal’s opening four top-flight fixtures.
The arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly have limited his opportunities, with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Guimaraes all preferred in midfield.
According to reports from TEAMtalk‘s Graeme Bailey, Zubimendi will push for a January exit if he cannot secure a starting position by the turn of the year.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso reportedly maintains interest in signing the midfielder, while Real Madrid have kept in contact with his representatives.
Arteta publicly praised Zubimendi in August, calling him “a really important player” and crediting him for Arsenal’s success last season. The manager insisted the club would not sell him.
“If we didn’t have him, we would never have reached the level we competed at,” Arteta stated.
“He deserves massive credit from all of us.”
Despite these comments, Zubimendi’s limited involvement suggests his future at Arsenal remains uncertain.
With the January transfer window approaching, the midfielder appears increasingly likely to seek regular football elsewhere, potentially ending his Arsenal career just 18 months into a five-year contract.
