Football365 reported that reports in Spain said Mikel Arteta had opened the door for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi to join Real Madrid. The claim emerged after Arsenal beat Everton on Saturday and moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City, who lost to Aston Villa in the early kick-off.
Arteta on Zubimendi's place
Zubimendi is yet to start a Premier League match this term. Against Everton, he came off the bench for ten minutes at the end of the match in his first appearance since the international break, when he picked up an injury.
Confirming Zubimendi's fitness ahead of the Everton game, Arteta said: "had a few , then he had the injury and it’s true that he had one game where he was almost fully available to play some minutes. From now, he needs to earn the right to play, but he’s been exceptional, whatever the role that he had to assume, and I expect that from every player, and he’s a player that deserves more minutes at the moment."
Midfield demands
Explaining what he wants from his midfielders, Arteta said: "It goes for all the midfielders. Martin has already scored a few goals, Bruno has done the same, Declan has done the same. That’s what we need in relation to the position they play on the day, that they have that licence and especially the aggression to penetrate and to damage the opposition."
Claims from Spain
Football365 said reports in Spain were claiming that Arteta "opens the door" for Zubimendi to make a move to Real Madrid. Football365 said the report added that Real Madrid is among the clubs linked with Zubimendi as his future is being reviewed.
Football365 said the report added that Zubimendi could consider a winter transfer if his situation does not improve, with both Real Madrid and Chelsea monitoring the situation and exploring options to lure him away from the Emirates. Football365 said the report added that market interest has yet to materialize into a concrete offer, and that if Zubimendi continues to only come on as a late substitute, he will have grounds to explore other options. Football365 said the report added that the next step would fall to his representatives and Arsenal: to review the available offers and decide if any offer allows for a satisfactory outcome for all parties.
Real Madrid preference
According to reports, Zubimendi wants to join Real Madrid "as soon as possible". Zubimendi played a starring role as Arsenal won the Premier League title last season.