Arsenal have no injury concerns over Martin Zubimendi ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton with Mikel Arteta instead managing the midfielder's workload during the festive period
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 28, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta returns to his former club Everton this weekend
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Arsenal have no injury worries about Martin Zubimendi ahead of their Saturday night showdown against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Gunners are simply managing the key midfielder's workload during the hectic festive season.
Mikel Arteta granted his Arsenal squad a two-day break following their thrilling last-minute victory over Wolves last Saturday. The Premier League leaders returned to their London Colney base for an open training session on Tuesday.
However, Zubimendi was absent from the first-team group, sparking speculation that he might be an injury risk ahead of the crucial match against Everton.
Nonetheless, the Liverpool ECHO's sister website football.london has learned that there are no injury concerns surrounding the Spain international and Arteta and his coaching team are keen to manage his workload.
Zubimendi trained separately from the main group with the Gunners management mindful that this will be the player's first season without a winter break.
The 26-year-old, a one-time transfer target for Liverpool, has only previously played in La Liga with Real Sociedad and has been a massive hit since his £60million transfer in the summer.
Arteta is eager to safeguard Zubimendi, considering the amount of football he has already played this season. Only Declan Rice and David Raya have logged more minutes in the Premier League for Arsenal.
Zubimendi has started every top-flight match, as well as being selected in the starting XI for five of the club's six Champions League fixtures - he missed the encounter with Slavia Prague due to suspension.
The Gunners are bracing for a demanding schedule, with their game against Everton marking the start of seven matches in 22 days. Ahead of the clash, star winger Bukayo Saka has urged his team-mates to "reset".
Arsenal relied on two own goals from Wolves – one coming in the fourth minute of stoppage time – to secure a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend, ensuring they remained at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners have played seven games in 21 days but will enjoy a week's break before taking on Everton.
"It's been a really, really busy schedule," acknowledged Saka. "Credit to all the boys and the staff because we've been so intense, but we've been on it and we've had some amazing results."
He added: "It's nice that we have a bit of a break, but it's not time to relax, it's just a time to reset a bit and then go again in the training sessions and be ready for Everton."
Arteta, who will be returning to his former club, will definitely be without six players.
Defenders Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Gabriel, a one-time Everton transfer target, are all out, as is striker Kai Havertz and 15-year-old rising star Max Dowman.