Martin Zubimendi has struggled for minutes this season at Arsenal, with Real Madrid long-term admirers of the midfielder as squad depth limits his opportunities.
The Spaniard, who helped his country win the World Cup in the summer, has found game time hard to come by, partly due to untimely injuries. A fortnight ago he broke his nose after coming on as a substitute in a win over Everton. Before that, after the Gunners played Leeds on October 10, he sustained a knock during the warm-down.
Fall Down the Pecking Order
Zubimendi was on Mikel Arteta's radar for several transfer windows before the club eventually signed him from Real Sociedad, but he is now far from a guaranteed starter. The 27-year-old's decline in the pecking order began last season when, despite being a regular for much of the campaign, he was dropped for the Champions League final as Myles Lewis-Skelly was preferred against PSG.
Arsenal's squad depth has been well documented, but inevitably some players lose out as a result. In midfield, Arteta currently has Declan Rice, who is ever-present, along with Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and summer signing Bruno Guimaraes competing with Zubimendi.
Limited Starts and Real Madrid Interest
All six of Zubimendi's Premier League outings have come from the bench. Of his 10 appearances in all competitions, he has started only twice. Arsenal's depth of quality could lead some individuals to seek more minutes elsewhere. Zubimendi has long been on Real Madrid's radar, according to The Sun, with interest beginning when Xabi Alonso, who knew him from his time at Sociedad, was in charge.
Arteta has maintained that Zubimendi, who started 34 of the team's 38 league games last term, remains a player he values, but underlined that many players are seeking opportunities.
"Martin is a very important player for us," he said. "He has been a bit unlucky with what happened with his ankle, with the nose afterwards. We have options in midfield and, like everybody else, he has to be ready."
"Everyone will have the chance to play, then it is about performing. His energy, his application, his will to help is unquestionable. He is an unbelievable player for us."
