Arsenal's Champions League ambitions, even while now at the semi-final stage, appear something of an afterthought such is the desperate desire to claim the Premier League title, with Fulham next on the agenda this weekend.
The Gunners have won just two of their last five meetings with the west London side, albeit with both of those admittedly coming in 2025, ensuring this will be no easy task at such a crunch stage of the season.
Arsenal last 5 games vs Fulham
Date
26 Aug 2023
31 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2024
01 Apr 2025
18 Oct 2025
With rivals Manchester City not in action again until Monday, the opportunity is there for Mikel Arteta's men to surge six points clear and apply the pressure, something they have failed to do at key junctures of the campaign thus far.
The question is, however, quite how fatigued the north Londoners will be after Wednesday's exploits, with this set to be a real test of Arteta's willingness to rotate but also the strength of his squad.
Indeed, now could be the prime chance to afford a much-needed break to Martin Zubimendi, with the weary Spaniard not exactly at his best in midweek.
Why Zubimendi could drop to the bench after Atletico display
There was nothing disastrous about Zubimendi's performance upon his return to Spain. He was neat and tidy, allowing the talismanic figure of Declan Rice to shine alongside him.
That said, as has been the case in recent months and weeks, there was little else beyond that, the ex-Real Sociedad star failing to really step up to the plate in key meetings so far in 2026.
Be it as a deep-lying option or a more advanced number eight, the 27-year-old has been found wanting both in and out of possession, unable to provide any sense of progressive, creative spark, alongside a worrying lack of control in the centre of the park.
Against Atleti, for instance, Arsenal's number 36 registered just a solitary key pass and won just a solitary duel all game, having lost the ball on seven occasions and been dribbled past twice.
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Perhaps he is merely allowing Rice to flourish, as noted above, but there is also a sense that Zubimendi is being bailed out to a degree by the Englishman's brilliance.
He also struggled for control against Newcastle United last weekend, losing the ball on ten occasions from 66 touches, while making one error leading to a shot - as he did in midweek.
Rice-Zubimendi-Arsenal
After another muted display at the Etihad prior to that, in which Arsenal's answer to Rodri recorded a lowly 74% pass rate, the £60m signing appears a man in need of a break, something which Arteta has been reticent to provide thus far.
Why Arsenal's next Xhaka could now replace Zubimendi
Winning titles and major honours is a squad game, and while Arteta has rotated at full-back, on the flanks and in attacking midfield this season, it's been a case of as you were in the midfield duo.
For much of the campaign, there's been little reason to try and fix what isn't broken with regard to that Rice and Zubimendi pairing, although as explained above, the latter simply isn't firing on all cylinders right now.
With Christian Norgaard routinely overlooked and Mikel Merino yet to return to action, the problem might well be the lack of alternatives, ensuring Arteta could get creative if he is to make that change.
myles-lewis-skelly-arsenal
Indeed, it might well be time to unleash young Myles Lewis-Skelly again in that left-sided number eight berth, with the Englishman likely to provide a greater progressive streak in contrast to Zubimendi.
It hasn't been the season the 19-year-old hoped for, far from it, yet he showed enough in 2024/25 to warrant further opportunities, memorably sparkling against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
That performance might have come at left-back, but the left-footer so often moved inside to bolster the midfield ranks, while effortlessly and fearlessly driving forward at will.
Having risen up through the youth ranks as a midfielder, the teenager is still waiting for an extended run at first-team level in his preferred position, something which Zubimendi's weary form could provide.
lewis-skelly
Lewis-Skelly could well emerge as the long-awaited replacement for Granit Xhaka in that number eight role, the Swiss star having sparkled in his final campaign at the club, scoring and assisting 14 times in the Premier League alone in 2022/23.
The orchestrator from deep, the now Sunderland skipper had that ability to control proceedings and pull the strings in front of the back four, while also thriving in and around the opposition box as both a provider and goal-scorer.
As a fellow left-footer who can sit deep before springing into life in the final third, Lewis-Skelly would represent a perfect successor, boasting the athleticism and mobility to take the burden off Rice's shoulders in that department too.
He might have only started two league games all season, although his six Champions League starts provide reason for encouragement, having registered two assists, created three 'big chances' and boasted an 88% pass accuracy rate.
Granit-Xhaka-Arsenal-redemption
As Kobbie Mainoo has showcased elsewhere at Manchester United, a dip in form and involvement for a youngster doesn't have to be fatal, with Lewis-Skelly still the type of player who can be a "future captain" at the Emirates, as hailed by club insider Hand of Arsenal.
Now, more than ever, is the time for Arteta to trust him, with the introduction of Xhaka 2.0 likely to be the best course of action, both for Lewis-Skelly himself and the tiring Zubimendi.
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