A year ago, Martin Zubimendi was the controller in the engine room of Arsenal’s first league title in 22 years. This season he has not started a single Premier League match.

The Spain midfielder has made eight appearances in all competitions for fewer than 200 minutes, with his only start coming in a Carabao Cup tie against Ipswich Town, according to FootballTransfers. His latest appearance was a 10-minute cameo against Everton on 24 October.

Guimaraes’ arrival rewired the midfield

Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in the summer for a £75m fee, one of the biggest transfers of the window.

The Brazilian has anchored Arteta’s midfield. Zubimendi, a £61m signing from Real Sociedad the previous summer, has been pushed to the bench.

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Arteta reportedly ready to listen in January

Arteta has not publicly announced a change of plan on Zubimendi. Reports in England and Spain, however, say the Arsenal manager is now open to a January sale if the midfielder’s situation does not improve. The player is said to prefer the Emirates exit to another half-season on the bench.

Real Madrid are the destination driving the story. FootballTransfers reported, citing Spanish journalist Joaquin Maroto, that Jose Mourinho is pushing internally for a January midfield signing and sees Zubimendi as his primary option, with other targets such as Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton unavailable mid-season.

Zubimendi admits the role is ‘not ideal’

Zubimendi himself has stayed cautious in public. He told Spanish broadcaster RTVE earlier this month that his lack of minutes was “not ideal”, via FootballTransfers.

“Obviously, it’s not ideal. We all like to be key players; everyone has a bit of an ego and wants to play,” he said.

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He added that he was “not naive” about the hierarchy both for Spain, where Rodri starts in front of him, and for Arsenal.

In April, before Guimaraes was signed, Zubimendi had told Cadena Ser that the recurring Real Madrid links were “not a bad thing”, according to Goal.com.

“That has passed. I’m very focused and very happy where I am,” he said at the time.

The January transfer window opens on 1 January 2027.

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