Arsenal have no plans to cash in on midfielder Martin Zubimendi in January.
The Spanish star is said to be “unhappy” with the limited playing time so far this season. He has started on the bench in every game.
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However, the Gunners have no intention of pushing the 27-year-old out the door this winter, despite his discontent right now.
Sources say that Mikel Arteta is keen to keep the entire squad intact throughout the season, while the club chases trophies on several fronts.
Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal continue where they left off last season, they win games. “On Saturday it will be tough to keep the statistics. Then they face Brighton away.
The boss believes Zubimendi is likely to become more involved as the season progresses, and still intends to use the former Real Sociedad player.
The midfielder made 57 appearances for the London club in all competitions last season, but has been pushed to the edge of the squad in recent weeks.
Martin Zubimendi – a victim of Arsenal’s depth
Zubimendi caused a stir with impressive performances in his debut season for Arsenal, but has recently had to settle for a reduced role.
He has become the latest in a long line of players to fall victim to the immense strength of the Gunners’ squad, after another summer of work in the transfer market.
Big signing Bruno Guimarães is ahead of him in the queue right now, while Arteta has continued to invest in Myles Lewis-Skelly as part of the central midfield group.
That has limited Zubimendi to small appearances so far, but that is likely to change when the Champions League really gets underway.
Arteta knows that he needs a deep squad to meet the club’s expectations in all competitions, but it is natural that this creates some dissatisfaction.
However, unless Zubimendi tries to force a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium, the club has no plans to show him towards the exit.
Football Insider exclusively as Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi applauds, with manager Mikel Arteta in a round inset photo.
Arsenal race against time to agree ‘complicated’ Nico Paz transfer
Martin Zubimendi Ibanez
Arsenal in race to secure ‘complicated’ Nico Paz transfer
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Arsenal will have trouble beating Real Madrid in the race to sign Como player Nico Paz.
The Spanish giants tried to sign the 22-year-old last summer, but eventually agreed to let him stay at Como for another year – on the condition that a £68 million buy-back clause was written in for next summer.
That clause makes it a “complicated” deal for Arsenal, and at the same time gives Real a solid “driver’s seat” position to bring Paz back right now.
The only way for the Gunners to sneak ahead in the race may be to strike in January before the clause comes into effect – but that would require a huge financial commitment in the middle of the season.
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