Arteta Shuts Down Zubimendi Exit Talk Ahead of January Window

Mikel Arteta has ruled out sanctioning a January departure for Martin Zubimendi, brushing aside reports that the midfielder is frustrated with his lack of starts this season.

A report from Football Insider claims Arteta views the Spaniard as a key figure in his squad planning and has no intention of approving an exit once the winter window opens. Competition for places in Arsenal‘s midfield has grown fierce, and Arteta expects every player to earn his role through form rather than reputation.

The signing of Bruno Guimaraes signals Arteta’s readiness to shake up his midfield hierarchy. Guimaraes brings defensive solidity that pairs naturally with Zubimendi’s distribution skills, giving the manager two contrasting profiles to rotate depending on the opponent. Myles Lewis-Skelly has added another layer to the competition, pushing hard for minutes since last season and continuing that momentum into the current campaign.

Arsenal’s midfield now functions as a flexible unit. Arteta shifts personnel and responsibilities based on matchups, and that flexibility has raised fresh questions over where Zubimendi fits following Guimaraes’ arrival and Lewis-Skelly’s rise.

Arteta’s Stance on Zubimendi

Zubimendi drew interest from both Real Madrid and Chelsea late in the summer window, though a move was never realistic at that stage. Arteta dismissed any talk of a sale then, and the midfielder has started just one match this term, filling in at right-back during the EFL Cup third-round win over Ipswich Town.

Speculation around a January move has circulated, but that narrative looks set to fade. Arteta considers Zubimendi essential to his plans and is unlikely to entertain any bids for him this winter.

The Arsenal boss wants his full squad depth intact for the rest of the campaign given the club’s ambitions across multiple competitions. Zubimendi remains part of that long-term picture.

Zubimendi joined Arsenal for £60 million in the summer of 2025 and made 57 appearances in his debut season, helping the club claim the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final. His form tapered off toward the end of that campaign, but Arteta still expects him to play a significant role now that fixtures are coming thick and fast.

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Is Zubimendi Unsettled?

Reports suggest Zubimendi has grown frustrated with limited playing time this season. He has appeared in most of Arsenal’s matches, mainly off the bench, though sources indicate he remains committed to fighting for a starting spot rather than pushing for an exit.

The midfielder is still working back from a taxing club campaign, compounded by his involvement in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad. He is gradually building toward a regular role, and history suggests he will accumulate solid minutes as the season unfolds, much like last year.

Arteta’s message is clear. Zubimendi stays at Arsenal in January, and any path back into the starting eleven will be earned on the training ground rather than negotiated through a transfer request.

Stick with TipsGG for continued coverage on Arsenal’s midfield rotation and every transfer development as the January window approaches.