Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
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Players who featured heavily during a title-winning campaign can find their minutes reduced once the squad is strengthened in the same position. A midfielder who has started just one Premier League match this season after playing a central role last term is always likely to attract attention from other clubs.
Those situations often prompt reports about whether the coaching staff would be open to a departure if the player’s involvement does not increase.
The Spanish international has returned from injury and made a brief substitute appearance in the latest home fixture. His limited playing time this season has already been noted by observers, and fresh claims from Spain suggest his future is under review. Real Madrid are among the clubs monitoring developments, with Chelsea also said to be aware of the situation.
Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 at the Emirates to move level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table. Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes secured the points in what was the club’s seventh win from eight Premier League matches this term. Martin Zubimendi came off the bench for ten minutes at the end of the match in his first appearance since the international break, when he picked up an injury.
Mikel Arteta has opened the door for Gunners midfielder Martin Zubimendi to join Real Madrid, according to reports cited by Football365.
Confirming Zubimendi’s fitness ahead of the Everton game and what he expects from the Spaniard, Arteta said: “[Zubimendi] had a few [opportunities], then he had the injury and it’s true that he had one game where he was almost fully available to play some minutes. From now, he needs to earn the right to play, but he’s been exceptional, whatever the role that he had to assume, and I expect that from every player, and he’s a player that deserves more minutes at the moment.”
Arteta wants his midfielders to contribute more goals with the Arsenal boss explaining: “It goes for all the midfielders. Martin has already scored a few goals, Bruno has done the same, Declan has done the same. That’s what we need in relation to the position they play on the day, that they have that licence and especially the aggression to penetrate and to damage the opposition.”
Reports in Spain claim that Arteta ‘opens the door’ for Zubimendi to make a move to Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants ‘back in the running as a possible destination for a player who needs to regain consistency and a more prominent role in midfield’. The report adds that Real Madrid is among the clubs linked with the midfielder as his future is being reviewed, and the player could consider a winter transfer if his situation doesn’t improve. Both Real Madrid and Chelsea are monitoring the situation and exploring options to lure him away from the Emirates.
CaughtOffside editor Mark Brus noted on X that Zubimendi did not look happy at the end of the Everton game and has played just 99 out of the 720 possible minutes in the Premier League so far this season. The next step would fall to his representatives and Arsenal to review any available offers and decide if a satisfactory outcome exists for all parties. Zubimendi is yet to start a Premier League match this term after playing a starring role as Arsenal won the title last season.
Martin Zubimendi did NOT look happy at the end of yesterday’s game 👀
He’s played just 99 out of the 720 possible minutes in the Premier League so far this season 😬
Piece on his situation to follow… https://t.co/KmLXFVzyNM
— Mark Brus (@MarkBrusCOS) October 25, 2026
His limited involvement has become a growing talking point as the season progresses. Arsenal’s midfield options are deep, yet the Spanish international’s quality remains clear when he does feature. Any decision on his future will depend on whether his minutes increase in the coming weeks or whether the interest from Spain develops into a formal approach.