Arsenal Star Could Push for January Exit After Just Five Games in Major Blow for Arteta 😳
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is reportedly considering his future at the Emirates, with a January departure becoming a possibility if his lack of playing time continues.
The Spain international arrived from Real Sociedad in a £60 million deal in July 2025 and quickly became an important part of Arsenal’s midfield. He featured in every Premier League game during the Gunners’ title-winning campaign.
But things have taken a dramatic turn this season.
Zubimendi has struggled to secure regular minutes, managing just 59 minutes of Premier League action across Arsenal’s opening four matches.
With Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly all competing for midfield places, the 27-year-old faces a difficult battle to break into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Reports suggest Zubimendi could consider forcing a move in January if his situation fails to improve before the end of the year. Real Madrid are also reportedly still monitoring the midfielder.
The situation is particularly intriguing given Arteta’s previous praise for Zubimendi, with the Arsenal boss describing him as “a really important player” following his contribution to the club’s title triumph.
Now, all eyes will be on Arteta and Zubimendi. If his playing time doesn’t increase, Arsenal could face a major decision over the midfielder’s future in north London.
