Arsenal rejected a deadline-day approach from Chelsea for Martin Zubimendi as the Blues scrambled to replace Enzo Fernández before the transfer window closed.
Chelsea turned to the Spain international after agreeing to sell Fernández to Manchester City for £125million, but Arsenal had no interest in allowing another senior midfielder to leave.
The approach was knocked back, leaving Zubimendi at the Emirates Stadium and Chelsea searching elsewhere for a replacement.
Martin Zubimendi is on Chelsea’s list in case Enzo Fernandez goes to Man City. [@JacobsBen] 🕵️♂️ pic.twitter.com/XT8j9Mgul7
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) September 1, 2026
Chelsea made late Martin Zubimendi move
Zubimendi had already attracted interest during the summer after his role changed following Arsenal’s £75m signing of Bruno Guimarães.
The Spaniard was not guaranteed to start every week, but Mikel Arteta consistently maintained that he remained an important part of his squad.
Chelsea nevertheless tested Arsenal’s resolve in the final hours of the market.
The Sun reports the Blues made an approach for Zubimendi, only for Arsenal to reject it because they continue to regard the 27-year-old as a major first-team player.
That stance should not come as a major surprise.
Read Arsenal previously covered how Arteta made his position on Zubimendi’s future clear amid fresh transfer speculation.
Despite greater competition for places, Arsenal were never actively looking to sell.
Chelsea needed replacement after £125m Enzo Fernández exit
Chelsea’s interest was driven by Fernández’s dramatic deadline-day move.
Manchester City completed the signing of the Argentina international for a British-record-equalling £125m, with Fernández signing a five-year deal.
That left Chelsea with very little time to replace one of their most important midfielders.
Zubimendi was among several options considered, alongside Lamine Camara, Manu Koné and others.
But Arsenal had no incentive to strengthen a direct rival.
That is particularly significant because Chelsea travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Supporters looking ahead to the game can find all the broadcast information in our where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea guide.
Arsenal’s midfield depth becomes even more important
Keeping Zubimendi reinforces one of the biggest strengths of Arteta’s post-window squad.
Arsenal can currently call upon:
Declan Rice
Bruno Guimarães
Martin Zubimendi
Martin Ødegaard
Eberechi Eze
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Mikel Merino
That gives Arteta several different midfield structures depending on the opposition.
Zubimendi remains especially valuable when Arsenal want greater positional control at the base of midfield.
His ability to receive under pressure, dictate tempo and protect the structure behind Arsenal’s attacks makes him a different option to Guimarães or Rice.
That wider tactical flexibility is explored in our permanent Arsenal tactics guide, while the Arsenal First Team hub will track Arteta’s selection decisions throughout the season.
Arsenal were right to reject Chelsea
There would have been very little upside to considering the move.
Arsenal had already completed their own summer business and had no realistic time to source a replacement.
Selling Zubimendi would also have weakened the champions while strengthening one of the clubs expected to challenge them near the top of the Premier League.
The timing makes the decision even easier to understand.
Arsenal host Chelsea only five days after the transfer deadline, meaning any agreement would potentially have handed Xabi Alonso an immediate midfield reinforcement ahead of Sunday’s meeting.
Instead, Chelsea enter the fixture without Fernández and without the Arsenal midfielder they explored as his replacement.
Their pursuit of Lamine Camara also collapsed late in the window despite an agreement having previously been reached with Monaco.
That creates an intriguing contrast ahead of Sunday’s game.
Chelsea lost an elite midfielder.
Arsenal rejected their attempt to take one in return.
Zubimendi still has major Arsenal role
Competition for minutes will remain fierce.
Guimarães’ arrival has altered the midfield hierarchy, while Lewis-Skelly has continued to offer Arteta another option centrally.
But Arsenal are attempting to defend the Premier League title while competing deep into the Champions League.
Squad depth will matter.
Zubimendi’s value should therefore be judged across an entire season rather than only by whether he starts every league game.
Arsenal’s decision on deadline day underlined exactly how they view him.
Chelsea asked. Arsenal’s answer was no.
Arsenal lose £6.7m windfall after dramatic £40m transfer collapse
Arsenal lose £6.7m windfall after dramatic £40m transfer collapse
Where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea: TV channel, live stream and kick-off
Where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea: TV channel, live stream and kick-off