Zubimendi starts for Arsenal against Fleetwood despite suspected broken nose

Martin Zubimendi is starting for Arsenal against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup wearing a protective mask, having been passed fit despite sustaining a suspected broken nose in the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.

The Spain international came on as an 80th-minute substitute at the Emirates and took a blow to the face that required treatment, but Mikel Arteta has still named him in his starting XI for the League One tie at Highbury.

Zubimendi has had a difficult start to life at Arsenal since arriving in the summer. His only previous start before Tuesday night was the Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town, with summer signing Bruno Guimaraes and Myles Lewis-Skelly ahead of him in the competition to partner Declan Rice in central midfield.

The 27-year-old was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup this summer, making his willingness to play through discomfort a notable show of commitment as he bids to force his way into Arteta’s plans.

Arteta has named a strong side despite a trip to Liverpool coming on Sunday, though the squad also includes three teenagers making their mark: Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, and 18-year-old Northern Ireland international Ceadach O’Neill, who is making his first-team debut.

“We take the game very seriously,” Arteta said. “It’s great to have them with us — Marli, Ceadach, Max, Illan as well. We always said everyone is going to be important and has to be ready. The only way is if they play minutes. The best way to express yourself is when you have the chance and you have to play. Give me a reason, give me a headache, give me a problem and show me you have to play more. That’s what they’ve been doing so far.”

Arsenal’s starting XI: Meslier; Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, O’Neill, Havertz; Gyokeres.