NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and...
NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Mikel Merino has owned up to being the player who injured Martin Zubimendi during last week’s post-match warm-down, but he insists his fellow midfielder is alright now.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal passes the ball under pressure from Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Torp of Coventry City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal passes the ball under pressure from Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Torp of Coventry City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi suffered a training injury during the post-match warm-down following the game against Leeds United last weekend, and he was forced to miss the midweek Champions League clash against Lille OSC as a result.
Mikel Merino has since owned up to his role in the injury setback, though he insists it isn’t anything serious.
“He [Zubimendi] is fine, he had his ankle a little bit hurt due to an action with me and if there is anyone that doesn’t want to hurt him, it’s me,” Merino said.
“It was a freak accident in training but he’s fine, he is a bull and recovers quickly.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta gave positive news to the media on Zubimendi during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest, suggesting the player is in contention to make his comeback this weekend.
“Zubi looks much better, he already looked much better today (on Friday),” Arteta said. “We have another session tomorrow (Saturday), and after that we will assess whether he’s available to play against Forest.”
Piero Hincapie also picked up an injury in the same training session, and he’s expected to be out for a bit longer. Merino hasn’t taken responsibility for that one, and we may never know what happened.
Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Though they play completely different positions, there is a sense in which Zubimendi and Hincapie’s injury absences are linked.
Without Hincapie to call upon, Arteta only has Riccardo Calafiori as a natural left-back option. As a result, he’s probably going to use Myles Lewis-Skelly in the position, as he did against Lille in midweek.
But if Lewis-Skelly is playing at left-back, Arsenal have fewer options in midfield, at which point Zubimendi’s fitness becomes more important. Again, that was evident in midweek, with not one of Arteta’s midfielders getting the match off.
If Zubimendi makes his predicted speedy return, Arsenal should be better able to manage without Hincapie.
Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)