Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Martin Zubimendi after his performance against Chelsea. The Spaniard scored a goal in the 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge, helping the Gunners take a lead into the home game next month.
Speaking to the media after the match, Arteta said Zubimendi has the qualities to match Declan Rice, and they just need to help him unlock that part of his game. He added that the midfielder is capable of doing whatever he wants on the pitch, and said (via club website):
"I think when we talk about Zubi, it’s what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants, it's a bit similar to Declan's qualities. We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box."
"He's so composed; he sees the picture very clear. The picture actually is clear sometimes, I know the parts of the pitch and what he's done today, I think it's phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well."
Arsenal took the lead through Ben White before Viktor Gyokeres doubled the lead. Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back quickly in the second half, but a goal from Zubimendi ensured the Gunners got their 2-goal lead back. Mikel Merino was denied with a brilliant save from Robert Sanchez, minutes before Garnacho got his second of the game to make it 3-2.
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal should have seen off the game against Chelsea
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal failed to make the most of their chances to finish off the semifinal tie. He believes that the win would have felt better if they had managed to go into the home leg with a bigger lead and said:
"I have to praise the players for the performance in the game that we just played against a really good opponent. With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end, after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one."
"The result would have been very different, but in that moment, they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal and it's game on. So that feeling is not perfect, but as well we have to value what the team has done again."
Arsenal host Chelsea in the second leg on February 3 at the Emirates.