Arsenal's Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town has given Mikel Arteta much food for thought
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Martin Zubimendi during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi took on a new role for Mikel Arteta this week(Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday evening. The victory secured their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with several talking points emerging from the third-round tie.
Attention now turns to Saturday's trip to Brighton, where Mikel Arteta 's side will look to stay top of the Premier League. The Gunners' midweek display has given the manager plenty to consider before their return to league action, however.
Chief among the talking points is the future of the currently peripheral Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard caught the eye of the Arsenal supporters in an unfamiliar position against the Tractor Boys.
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Gunners' youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly also attracted attention for his conduct at the final whistle, prompting Arteta to step in. Here, we examine both matters in greater detail.
Zubimendi set for new role
Spanish midfielder Zubimendi has struggled for game time this season, yet was deployed at right-back for Tuesday evening's fixture, where he thrived.
The 27-year-old is no stranger to the position, having featured there on the final day of last season when Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory away at Crystal Palace.
The role may now represent his most realistic route back into the Gunners' starting line-up, following Ben White's groin complaint sustained during the 2-0 triumph at Sunderland last Saturday. White has been a consistent starter this term as Jurrien Timber continues his recovery from a minor groin procedure carried out earlier this summer.
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 called on Martin Zubimendi to play right-back(Image: 2026 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
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Zubimendi played a part in Max Dowman's second goal against Ipswich and also caught the eye with his defensive contributions, strengthening his case to fill the void left by White and Timber.
The Spaniard, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025 from Real Sociedad, now appears well-placed to provide a solution to Arsenal's right-back headache in the short term, following his assured display on Tuesday evening.
Lewis-Skelly forces Mikel Arteta's hand
Arteta was compelled to intervene and steer a furious Lewis-Skelly away from the match officials following Arsenal's victory over Ipswich. The Tractor Boys' two consolation goals arrived with the Gunners already 4-0 ahead.
Anis Mehmeti and former Arsenal frontman Chuba Akpom spared Ipswich the ignominy of a heavier defeat, though the latter's strike proved contentious. Akpom appeared to drag Lewis-Skelly to the ground in the build-up to his effort, with referee Peter Bankes dismissing all protests.
With VAR unavailable in the Carabao Cup until the last four, the goal stood. Lewis-Skelly was incensed by the ruling and confronted the officials at the final whistle, pursuing them as they made their way towards the centre circle.
Mikel Arteta had to calm Myles Lewis-Skelly down at full-time.
Mikel Arteta had to calm Myles Lewis-Skelly down at full-time(Image: Tom Canton)
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Mikel Merino stepped in to pacify Lewis-Skelly before Arteta strode over, making his authority felt, twice instructing the youngster to walk away. Shortly afterwards, Akpom appeared to share a light-hearted moment about the incident with Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Konsa.
Saka seemed to question Akpom over whether it had been a foul, with the Ipswich striker nodding in agreement. Akpom first joined Arsenal at just six years old and went on to make his debut for the North London club under Arsene Wenger back in 2013.