Arsenal’s Zubimendi facing uncertain future as Atletico Madrid prepare January move

Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal future is under scrutiny, with Atletico Madrid reportedly preparing a bid for the midfielder as early as the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025 after a long-standing interest from the club finally led him to leave Real Sociedad, where he had spent his entire career. Mikel Arteta’s knowledge of the player’s former club and the surrounding area was considered important in persuading Zubimendi to move beyond San Sebastian.

However, the Spain international is no longer a regular starter, something that would have been difficult to envisage when he signed. Arteta has suggested Zubimendi has been affected by injuries and needs to earn his position again, potentially pointing to a wider issue over his role.

His recent performances have been mixed, with Flashscore ratings ranging from 6.2 to 7.6 for club and country. Yet his underlying numbers remain strong.

Zubimendi is one of only five Arsenal squad players to have attempted more than 2,000 passes, with 2,999 attempts and 2,617 completed at an 87.26 per cent success rate.

He has also made 158 recoveries, fewer only than Mikel Merino’s 174, William Saliba’s 189 and Gabriel Magalhaes’ 278. Of the 432 one-on-one duels he has contested, only Gabriel, with 504, and Bukayo Saka, with 544, have attempted more.

Despite not being especially tall, Zubimendi has won 103 of his 158 aerial duels. He is also one of only two Arsenal players, alongside Declan Rice, to have made more than 100 tackles since joining the club at the start of the 2025/26 season.

His 57 successful tackles from 100 attempts give him a 57 per cent success rate, ahead of Rice’s 49.12 per cent from 56 successful tackles in 114 attempts. Zubimendi has scored six goals in 69 appearances, having added five to the volley that opened his Arsenal account.

Competition for midfield places

Arsenal’s strong start to the season and Arteta’s desire for significant depth could make negotiations difficult for Atletico Madrid. The situation may nevertheless be complicated by the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.

Although Bruno Guimaraes is not a traditional holding midfielder, his greater willingness to move forward while maintaining his defensive responsibilities has helped establish him as a first-choice option.

Zubimendi remains highly effective in his own role, but may not offer everything Arteta wants from that position. Competition for places, however, is a situation elite managers regularly seek.

Zubimendi’s injuries have not resulted in lengthy absences. A knock in November 2025 ruled him out for one day, a knee problem at the end of March 2026 kept him out for five days, and an ankle injury in October 2026 led to six days on the sidelines.

There are currently no discussions taking place, but the winter transfer window is seven weeks away. Zubimendi’s position may become clearer if Atletico Madrid or another club makes an approach, leaving him to decide whether to remain at Arsenal and fight for his place or return to Spain and a league he knows well.