Mikel Arteta closes the door on Real Madrid for Zubimandi

Real Madrid were among the clubs interested in signing Martin Zubimendi from Arsenal, and it seems that the answer has been delivered in no uncertain terms to Real Madrid: Zubimendi's transfer is “not possible”.

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Mikel Arteta says no to Zubimendi's departure

Mikel Arteta has made his stance on Martin Zubimendi unequivocally clear, reaffirming that the Spanish midfielder continues to hold a central role in his setup at Arsenal. The manager's comments come amid a fresh wave of speculation hinting that the player could be on his way out of the Emirates.

The recent £75 million arrival of Bruno Guimarães has inevitably intensified the battle for places in Arsenal's engine room, casting a spotlight on Zubimendi's standing within the squad. Yet Arteta appears steadfast in his resolve to keep hold of the 27-year-old as the Gunners prepare to defend their Premier League crown, signaling that Zubimendi remains very much part of the bigger picture.

Martin Zubimendi remains an important player for Arsenal

On the eve of Arsenal's league opener against Coventry City, Arteta was asked directly whether Zubimendi might be shown the exit door. His response, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano, left little room for interpretation: "No, he's a really important player."

But the Arsenal manager didn't stop there. When reflecting on the midfielder's influence throughout the previous campaign, Arteta went a step further, insisting that Zubimendi's role had been nothing short of pivotal. "Without a doubt, he was one of our best performers last season," he remarked. "Quite frankly, without him, we would never have found ourselves in the position we were fighting for in those final weeks."

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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