Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
The Gunners beat Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last month. Kai Havertz’s late goal helped them seal a narrow win over the Blues at the Emirates yesterday.
After the Chelsea match, Arsenal’s Martín Zubimendi had a chat with Cadena Ser‘s El Larguero.
The Spanish radio station specifically asked him whether the win over Chelsea was ‘very important’ for Arsenal.
Responding to that, he said: “Yes, absolutely. Very important months are coming up, we’ve taken the first step, but then we have to win it.
“It was a very difficult match, Chelsea has a fantastic team, but we were able to score the goal at the end and secure qualification.”
With a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea, Arsenal have secured a berth in the EFL Cup final and will face Manchester City or Newcastle United.
The Spain international arrived at the north London club from Real Sociedad last summer. Earlier in the season, the player said he only wanted to join the Gunners. He now dreams of winning the title with Arsenal in his first season.
Mikel Arteta’s side are leading the Premier League table and well placed to win the title. The Gunners are now six points ahead of second placed Manchester City.
“Well, among other things, yes. The complete dream would include more things, but I’ve realised that it’s given a lot of importance here, and after everything I’ve experienced at Arsenal, they truly deserve it, because it’s very difficult to win,” Zubimendi explained.
Cadena Ser were curious to find out from the 27-year-old about his club teammate, Mikel Merino. The latter picked up an injury in Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United last month.
Arsenal have confirmed Merino has a “bone injury in his right foot” and will soon undergo surgery. He’s likely to miss the remainder of this season. Zubimendi says his compatriot is in pain.
“Well, he’s in pain. He’s a very professional person, who takes care of himself and always thinks about what’s best for the club. I know he’s the one who’s most hurt, but the damage his injury has done to the club is significant,” he added.
“Well, he seems fine, but everyone’s different when they get home. I understand it’s harder than it looks. I know he’ll do everything he can to make it [to the national team], and if he doesn’t, it’ll be a real shame. We’ll see what happens.”