Chelsea have been linked with a move for Martin Zubimendi, but Mikel Arteta's position on the Spaniard's future has already been made clear
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces Martin Zubimendi at full-time following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Mikel Arteta's stance on Martin Zubimendi is clear(Image: 2026 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
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Mikel Arteta has already made it clear how valuable Martin Zubimendi is to him and Arsenal. The Spaniard had been linked with a move to Chelsea, but it now appears the Blues want to purchase Lamine Camara from Monaco.
He was earmarked as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who is heavily being linked with Manchester City again after being left out of the Blues' squad which overcame Luton Town 2-0 in the League Cup. Last season, Zubimendi lost his place to Myles Lewis-Skelly, and has also seen the Gunners sign Bruno Guimaraes for £75m this summer, seemingly making him fourth choice midfielder behind the aforementioned duo and Declan Rice.
However, Arteta has already made it clear last season's summer signing from Real Sociedad is still an important player for the club. He also stated the north Londoners do not want to sell the World Cup and EURO 2024 winner.
In the pre-match press conference previewing Arsenal's victory over Coventry City, Arteta was asked if Zubimendi could be sold. He replied: " No, he’s a really important player. He’s a really important player for us.”
Arteta also added: "Zubi without a doubt was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him we would never get into the position that we got in the last few weeks and he deserves massive credit.
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“He deserves some credit from all of us, all the coaches, myself and especially his team-mates. We know that without him we would never reach the level and the way that we competed throughout 10 months.
“At the end, yeah, he didn't play that much. He still played some important minutes but he didn't play that much. But no one can neglect the importance of what we did and how important he is for us.
Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Zubimendi's status as a starter has been impacted Guimaraes' arrival(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"So that's something that's important to comment because a lot of people end with the taste, 'No, but this player played in the Champions League final'.
"This guy did it for 10 months. Otherwise we weren't here and we wouldn't be playing in those finals. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that."
Monaco's Lamine Camara
Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their interest in Monaco's Lamine Camara(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Now Chelsea are in the market for Camara, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Crystal Palace this summer. The Sun have claimed Xabi Alonso's side have gathered information about his personal terms ahead of a potential bid for the Senegal ace.
Alonso has so far deployed Reece James, Valentin Barco and Romeo Lavia in midfield. Fernandez was a second half substitute in the 3-2 win over Fulham, but his absence against Luton - which was not down to injury - suggests he may be on his way out, amid interest from City.