Arsenal's Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town has given Mikel Arteta plenty to think about
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.
Martin Zubimendi took on a new role for Mikel Arteta this week(Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
View Image
Arsenal continued their fine form on Tuesday evening with a convincing win over Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup third round. Mikel Arteta will take his team to Brighton on Saturday as the Premier League resumes, looking to keep their place at the top of the table.
The Gunners beat Ipswich 4-2 at Portman Road, easing into the fourth round. While the victory maintained their perfect start to the season, it also provided its fair share of talking points.
One of which revolves around the future of the currently out-of-favour Martin Zubimendi. He impressed the Arsenal faithful in an unfamiliar role against the Tractor Boys.
Gunners' youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly also made headlines with his behaviour at full-time, forcing an intervention from Arteta. Here, we take a closer look at both stories.
Zubimendi set for new role
Spanish midfielder Zubimendi has found minutes hard to come by this season, but was shifted to right-back for Tuesday night's fixture, where he excelled.
The 27-year-old has experience of the role, featuring in the same spot on the final day of last season when Arsenal won 2-1 away to Crystal Palace.
The position may now offer him his best chance of getting back into the Gunners' first XI after Ben White suffered a groin niggle in the 2-0 win at Sunderland last Saturday. White has been a regular starter this season as Jurrien Timber steps up his recovery from a minor groin procedure earlier this summer.
Zubimendi was involved in Max Dowman's second goal against Ipswich and was also impressive from a defensive point of view, cementing his claims to take on the role from White and Timber.
Zubimendi, who signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2025 from Real Sociedad, could now be set to solve Arsenal's right-back conundrum for the time being after his confident performance on Tuesday night.
Lewis-Skelly
Gunners' boss Arteta had to escort an angry Lewis-Skelly away from the officials after Arsenal's victory over Ipswich. The Tractor Boys' two consolation goals came with Arsenal 4-0 to the good.
Anis Mehmeti and former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom spared Ipswich from a mauling, but the latter's goal was a point of contention. Akpom seemingly dragged Lewis-Skelly to the floor in the build-up to his strike, with referee Peter Bankes waving away appeals.
With VAR not in use in the Carabao Cup until the last four, the goal was given. Lewis-Skelly fumed at that decision and remonstrated with the officials at full-time, trailing them as they walked to the centre circle.
Mikel Merino attempted to calm Lewis-Skelly before Arteta marched over, asserting his authority, as he twice told the youngster to walk away. Shortly after, Akpom appeared to joke about the incident with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Konsa.
Saka appeared to quiz Akpom if it had been a foul, with the Ipswich forward nodding. Akpom joined the Gunners at the age of six and made his debut for the North Londoners under Arsene Wenger in 2013.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.