Mikel Arteta has revealed he has held several conversations with Martin Zubimendi after the Arsenal midfielder lost his starting place towards the end of last season, with his huge workload now influencing plans for the new campaign.
Zubimendi was one of Arsenal’s most important players for much of their Premier League title-winning season before Myles Lewis-Skelly increasingly emerged in midfield during the closing weeks.
That change, combined with reported interest from Real Madrid, has created questions over the Spain international’s position heading into 2026/27.
Arteta has now made his stance clear.
The Guardian reports that Arteta still views Zubimendi as an integral part of Arsenal’s squad and expects him to remain at the Emirates.
🚨🔴⚪️ Mikel Arteta says Martin Zubimendi will NOT leave Arsenal: “No, he’s a really important player”.
“Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks”. pic.twitter.com/L3f8sM6f8Y
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2026
Martin Zubimendi workload changed Arsenal plans
Arteta revealed he has held several conversations with Zubimendi to explain the decisions made towards the end of last season.
One number provides important context.
By the closing stage of Arsenal’s campaign, Zubimendi had already played 55 matches.
Arteta said Arsenal cannot allow that situation to be repeated if they want the midfielder to maintain his level across an 11-month campaign.
That helps explain why Lewis-Skelly’s emergence should not automatically be interpreted as Zubimendi falling permanently down the hierarchy.
ReadArsenal reported on Wednesday that Arsenal have made their position on Lewis-Skelly clear, with Arteta subsequently saying he is “100 per cent” confident the academy graduate will stay.
The challenge is now finding room for both.
Zubimendi played more minutes than almost every Arsenal outfield player last season before his performances dipped during the closing months.
ReadArsenal previously highlighted how his form tailed off after an enormous first-season workload.
Arteta now has significantly more midfield depth available.
Lewis-Skelly has established himself centrally, while £75m summer signing Bruno Guimaraes adds another elite option alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
For Zubimendi, that increased competition may ultimately help rather than hurt.
Arsenal no longer need to rely on the Spaniard for virtually every important fixture.
Arteta’s comments suggest the plan is not to replace Zubimendi, but to manage him well enough that the version Arsenal saw during the first half of last season lasts considerably longer this time.
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