A Premier League title does not freeze a squad in place. It often does the opposite, because new signings, returning bodies and a deeper midfield leave fewer starts to go around.
That squeeze is felt first by players who need minutes for more than club form. International windows are still part of the calendar, and a place in a national team can depend on how often a midfielder is trusted at the weekend.
January is when those tensions usually surface. Clubs test the market, agents take calls, and a quiet start to a season can turn into a conversation about whether a change of dressing room would solve the problem.
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Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Real Madrid have made contact with Martin Zubimendi’s camp about a possible move in the winter window. The same coverage says Los Blancos plan to make a formal approach to Arsenal as soon as they can.
Zubimendi joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad about a year ago and has been an important option when selected. This season, according to the reports, regular starts have been harder to come by because of the competition in midfield.
The player is reportedly unhappy with his playing time and could push to leave in January. There is no public comment from the player or the club to confirm that position.
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The midfielder’s international picture is part of the argument being made. Limited club minutes, the reports suggest, could put his Spain place at risk, which is why a return to La Liga is being framed as an option rather than a rumour with no hook.
Fichajes claims Zubimendi appears open to the idea of joining Real Madrid. If that is accurate, it would give Madrid encouragement to keep going. It would not, on its own, force Arsenal to sell a player they only signed last year.
Any deal would still need the Gunners to agree. Arsenal would have to decide whether they are prepared to lose a midfielder mid-season, and whether they believe they already have enough cover without him.
For now he remains an Arsenal player. Martin Zubimendi filled in at right-back in midweek when others were missing, which only underlines how the club have used him in more than one role.
The next few months of starts, or the lack of them, will decide how loud this story becomes. Madrid can make contact. Only minutes, and Arsenal’s answer, will decide whether January is a talking point or an actual exit.
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