Arsenal have the strongest squad in the Premier League and boy have they needed it this season.
Last summer, the chief objective was to give Mikel Arteta as many options as possible and given their wretched injury record, every member of the squad has been needed to put the Gunners in the driving seat to win the title.
Whether it be longer-term injuries to the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, or persistent niggles for players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, this team is being tested to the limit with regard to their fitness concerns.
While having a big squad is all well and good, there are two players, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, who look rather knackered. That's putting it politely, too.
Arteta-Zubimendi-Arsenal
They have been immovable objects in Arteta's starting lineup this term but over the forthcoming weeks the pair of them must be given a rest.
Why Rice and Zubimendi are becoming a problem for Arsenal
Make no mistake about it, Rice and Zubimendi are arguably Arsenal's most important duo behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Speaking about the Spaniard earlier this season, the club's record signing admitted: "We only signed him [Zubimendi] in the summer and usually it takes a while to build a connection, but from the first moment we had together in pre-season, I could just tell that I was going to play some good football with him.
"I just really liked him as a person and as a player. As the games have gone on, our understanding of each other has been outstanding. He's such a nice guy."
They complement each other excellently in the middle of the park. While both contribute effectively in the final third, it's the Spaniard's ability to sit deep and let Rice advance into forward areas that has been so game-changing for Arsenal this season.
Previously, Rice has been required to sit deeper but he has simply gone to another level in 2025/26 because of the former Real Sociedad man.
declan-rice-arsenal
That said, both players are looking rather tired. That's not surprising. No outfield player has played more minutes for Arsenal this season than Zubimendi with 3,173. Rice is third on that list with 3,012 and Jurrien Timber is second with 3,063. As it happens, all three of them have looked particularly leggy in recent weeks.
Rice committed the error that led to Randal Kolo Muani's goal in the derby while his partner in crime has been some way off his best for much of 2026, committing that appalling mistake against Manchester United that led to Bryan Mbeumo scoring. He nearly committed a very similar cardinal sin against Chelsea last Sunday.
There have been calls for Zubimendi to get a rest for a while now and if Rice is fit enough to start againstBrighton, the Spaniard should be given the night off.
Vice versa, if the England international isn't fully 100% then a rest should be handed out to him instead. The former West Ham man is not one to miss many games or even minutes for that matter, but he had to be withdrawn with an injury by Arteta late on against Chelsea.
Rice-Zubimendi-Arsenal
So, what's the solution here?
Arsenal's Rice and Zubimendi solution
The main answer here would be Christian Norgaard.
The Dane signed from Brentford in the summer transfer window, sealing what was a dream move for someone who, not so long ago, was playing Championship football.
Christian-Norgaard-Arsenal
While the midfielder will have enjoyed his time at the Emirates, he's simply not seen enough action. Norgaard has not started a single Premier League game, featuring for just 46 minutes in the top-flight. For a player with his experience and quality, that feels like an insult.
Yet, while he would undoubtedly be a safe pair of hands in the middle of the park, if Arteta is to make a change to his midfield for the clash against Brighton on Wednesday, it must be Myles Lewis-Skelly who comes into the team.
myles lewis-skelly
Like Norgaard, the youngster has barely been seen this season, starting just once in the league, despite appearing in the squad on 28 occasions.
After his breakthrough campaign of 2024/25, this was a year in which Lewis-Skelly was meant to kick on. A place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad beckoned but any hopes he had of being on the plane this summer have been extinguished. He's simply not played enough football.
Fewest minutes by Arsenal players - 2025/26
Player
Max Dowman
Kai Havertz
Ethan Nwaneri
Gabriel Jesus
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Christian Norgaard
Ben White
Cristian Mosquera
Myles Lewis-Skelly
But, there is still a player in there, and someone who must now move back into midfield. In the academy, the teenager was a midfielder by trade, but it was at left-back where he broke through last season, primarily due to a spate of injuries in that position on the pitch.
He scored against Manchester City, ran the show in the Bernabeu and dazzled against PSG. He even netted on his international debut for England. Lewis-Skelly could do no wrong. In the words of club insider Hand of Arsenal, he looked like a "future captain" of the club.
However, Riccardo Calafiori's return to fitness and the arrival of Piero Hincapie has dented the impact he can make this season. So, now that he's the third choice left-back, perhaps a spot in midfield beckons.
Arteta wanted to play the Hale Ender in the middle against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. He was selected to do. However, a late injury to Calafiori in the warm-up meant that Lewis-Skelly actually started at left-back.
lewis-skelly
So, his chance should come now. Whether it be for Rice or Zubimendi, one of them needs a break and the Arsenal youngster represents a vibrant player who can break up play like the Spaniard or progress possession forward like Rice.
Speaking about his ability to play in midfield, Arsenal reporter Simon Collings once said: "That will be an interesting debate where Lewis-Skelly ends up. Jack Wilshere in the U18s had him as a number six or a number eight and the thing they really liked about him in the academy was his ability to drive and carry the ball.
"He does that a bit at left-back, but if you had him, look at the way Rice drives with it and if Lewis-Skelly was in those areas, he could be a big player there."
jack-wilshere-arsenal
Speaking of Wilshere, you have to say there is an element of the former Arsenal midfielder's game to Lewis-Skelly, not just in the fact that they are both left-footed but the way they carry the ball is strikingly similar. The youngster evades the press in a like-minded fashion and draws fouls in a very similar manner.
It's safe to say this has not been a particularly good campaign for the academy graduate but he must finally get a chance in the next few weeks to showcase why he's been hyped up so much over the last year.
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