Martin Zubimendi Denies Arsenal January Exit After Mikel Arteta Talks London 2026

• Spain international Martin Zubimendi has firmly denied reports linking him with a January departure from Arsenal, stating that rumours of an imminent exit are “not at all” true.
• The 27-year-old midfielder has yet to start a Premier League fixture during the 2026–27 season, having fallen behind summer signing Bruno Guimarães, Declan Rice, and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
• Speaking to Spanish publication Marca while on international duty, Zubimendi confirmed that he held pre-season talks with manager Mikel Arteta, who warned him about increased squad competition.
• Zubimendi admitted that physical exhaustion following a 57-appearance debut campaign in England contributed to his drop in playing time.
• Despite reported interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, Zubimendi reiterated that he is happy in North London and intends to remain at the Emirates Stadium until at least the end of the season.

Arsenal (North London News) November 13, 2026 – Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has categorically dismissed speculation linking him with a mid-season exit from the Emirates Stadium, confirming that he held clear-the-air discussions with manager Mikel Arteta at the start of the campaign regarding his reduced playing time.

What Did Martin Zubimendi Say About Rumours of a January Exit from Arsenal?

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Spanish newspaper Marca while away on international duty with Spain, the 27-year-old addressed persistent claims in the Spanish and English press suggesting he was close to leaving North London during the upcoming winter transfer window.

As reported by Tom Canton of Football.London, Zubimendi expressed surprise at the intensity of the transfer speculation and urged greater responsibility in football journalism. Zubimendi stated:

“To be honest, I’m sometimes surprised by the press too. I understand that the winter transfer window is approaching and rumours can surface, but I think we need to be a bit more careful with what we publish. Ultimately, everyone has a team they play for, and we need to respect that. I’ve also read that I might be close, but not at all.”

Further details relayed by Sky Sports and cited by The False 9 confirmed that Zubimendi has not held negotiations with any prospective suitors. Zubimendi explained that he has not “wasted much energy on things outside of football” and emphasised that he has “enough on my mind trying to win a place in the team”. When asked directly whether he intends to remain with the Gunners until June, as relayed by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zubimendi replied:

“Yes, I hope so. I’m happy there.”

Why Has Martin Zubimendi Fallen Down the Pecking Order Under Mikel Arteta?

Despite being a mainstay in Arsenal’s midfield during the 2025–26 season, Zubimendi has been restricted to a bit-part role throughout the opening months of the 2026–27 campaign. Official match statistics confirm that the Spaniard has made seven substitute appearances in the Premier League this term without a single start, accumulating just 106 minutes of top-flight action.

How Did Summer Signings and Fatigue Affect Zubimendi’s Role?

Two primary factors have driven Zubimendi’s transition from a regular starter to a squad rotation option: fierce internal competition and physical fatigue. During the summer transfer window, Arsenal reinforced their engine room with the high-profile acquisition of Bruno Guimarães, who has formed a dominant midfield partnership alongside Declan Rice. Furthermore, 19-year-old Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly has cemented a prominent first-team role after starting in the previous season’s Champions League final.

In his interview with Marca, as reported by Hayters, Zubimendi candidly acknowledged that the physical demands of his debut year in English football—in which he made 57 appearances across all competitions—took a noticeable toll on his body. Zubimendi stated:

“I don’t like to blame everything on my physical condition, but I definitely noticed it that year. It was a new year for me, with a lot of new stimuli. I played a huge number of minutes and, to be honest, I was tired. Then there were other things too, but one of them could very well have been my physical condition.”

What Did Mikel Arteta Tell Martin Zubimendi During Pre-Season Talks?

Addressing suggestions of a rift between player and manager, Zubimendi revealed that Mikel Arteta proactively managed expectations before the 2026–27 season began.

As reported by TEAMtalk, Zubimendi confirmed that Arteta held individual discussions with his squad to outline the tactical and selection realities of competing at the highest level. Zubimendi stated:

“I spoke with Mikel at the beginning of the season. As he does with all the players, he explained the plan to me. He warned me that there were new signings and that there would be playing time for everyone. And here we are, fighting for it.”

The midfielder expressed full acceptance of the competitive environment at the Emirates Stadium, adding:

“I understand because, for me, we’re among the five best teams in Europe. There are some fantastic players. New signings have arrived in my position, and there were already some very good players. I’m also part of that competition that makes it so difficult to get playing time.”

Which Clubs Have Been Linked With a Move for Martin Zubimendi?

Prior to Zubimendi’s public intervention, several major European clubs were credited with an interest in capitalising on his limited minutes in North London:

• Chelsea: Reports from LiveScore indicated that Chelsea, now managed by former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, were considering a £60 million January bid to pair Zubimendi with Moisés Caicedo as a long-term upgrade on veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson. Spanish reporter Antonio Ruiz also stated that an individual within Zubimendi’s entourage identified Stamford Bridge as the most fitting destination should the player ever choose to depart Arsenal.
• Atlético Madrid: Diego Simeone’s side were heavily linked with bringing Zubimendi back to La Liga, with Spain teammate Álex Baena publicly remarking that the midfielder would be a “great addition” to the Madrid club. However, according to Metro, Atlético Madrid subsequently ruled out pursuing a January negotiation.
• Real Madrid: Having previously been targeted by Los Blancos in 2025, Zubimendi was again mentioned in transfer reports linking him with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Addressing the lack of active pursuit from Real Madrid under current manager José Mourinho, Zubimendi told Marca: “I understand. I think it’s part of football, of the moments and the news. People like all of this too.”

Reports from The Independent, relayed by OneFootball, also suggested that Arsenal’s recruitment team had weighed the possibility of using funds from a potential sale—seeking to recoup at least the £60 million fee they paid for him—to finance the signing of a pacey wide forward, with Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, Atlético Madrid’s Álex Baena, Real Madrid’s Endrick, and RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa listed among potential attacking targets.

Background of the Development

Martin Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025, signing a long-term contract running until 2030. Arriving with a reputation as one of Europe’s premier holding midfielders, the Euro 2024 winner immediately became a foundational figure in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. During the 2025–26 campaign, Zubimendi started 34 of his 38 Premier League appearances—logging 3,005 minutes and scoring five goals—as Arsenal captured the Premier League title and reached the UEFA Champions League final.

However, the cumulative physical toll of a gruelling club season followed by participation in Spain’s triumphant 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign left Zubimendi fatigued entering the 2026–27 season. Simultaneously, Arsenal’s sporting hierarchy moved aggressively in the summer market to reinforce the midfield with Bruno Guimarães while integrating Myles Lewis-Skelly into regular senior action. Consequently, Zubimendi’s start to the current campaign has been largely confined to cup competitions, including full 90-minute outings in the UEFA Champions League against SK Slavia Prague and in the EFL Cup.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Arsenal Supporters and Transfer Strategy?

For Arsenal supporters and the club’s sporting department, Zubimendi’s explicit commitment to staying in North London until at least June 2027 provides significant squad stability ahead of a demanding winter fixture schedule. While retaining a high-value midfielder who is not currently starting may limit the club’s immediate capacity to generate “sell-to-buy” funds for a new winger in January, keeping Zubimendi protects Mikel Arteta against the inevitable risks of injury and suspension across domestic and European competitions. Given the physical intensity of the Premier League and Champions League knockout stages, Arsenal fans can expect Zubimendi’s role to expand naturally during the second half of the season as Arteta rotates his midfield core to maintain freshness.