Zubimendi nears Atletico Madrid exit after falling to fourth in Arsenal's midfield pecking order

Martin Zubimendi is on the verge of leaving Arsenal for Atletico Madrid in January, according to reports from Spanish outlets Relevo and AS, with the 27-year-old having failed to start a single Premier League game this season after slipping to fourth in Arteta’s midfield hierarchy.

The Basque midfielder only arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2025, with Arsenal winning a competitive race for his signature following his standout performance in the Euro 2024 final. He made an immediate impact alongside Declan Rice in the first half of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, offering the progressive, anticipatory midfield play the club had long sought. But his influence waned as the season reached its decisive stages — he was dropped in favour of Hale Ender and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and did not start the Champions League final.

The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes in the summer further marginalised Zubimendi, and Spanish radio outlet RNE Deportes, with Sport Witness relaying the report, now claims his relationship with Arteta has turned ‘cold’ following ‘friction towards the end of last season’. AS adds that Arsenal are willing to sell and want to recover the £50m they invested in the midfielder. Transfermarkt values Zubimendi at €65m.

Despite the mounting pressure on his position, FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal would prefer not to sanction a January sale and would rather wait until the summer to reassess. The club are currently top of the Premier League, five points clear of their nearest rivals, unbeaten in the Champions League, and have lost only twice in all competitions this season — a position of strength that gives them some leverage in any negotiations.

Zubimendi’s situation nonetheless highlights the squeeze that squad depth can place on even high-profile signings. Having been a near ever-present in the first half of last season, the Spain international now finds himself frozen out at a club operating at the peak of its powers, with Arteta showing little inclination to reintegrate him into his plans.

Arsenal return to Premier League action after the international break with a trip to Newcastle United.