Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks, particularly after the Spanish club failed to sign Rodri Hernandez, who chose to join Barcelona instead.
The Zubimendi option, though, now looks to be drifting away from Madrid's plans. Mikel Arteta has confirmed his desire to keep the Spanish midfielder, stressing just how important he is to the team.
Zubimendi's role tailed off at the end of the season, with the midfielder dropping to the bench in some matches. Arteta still regards him as an essential part of his line-up, insisting the player delivered an outstanding campaign and contributed significantly to Arsenal's results.
"Without a doubt, he was one of Arsenal's best players last season. Without him, we would not have reached the position we were in during the final weeks," Arteta said, pointing to the role Zubimendi played throughout the season.
The reduction in minutes for the 27-year-old in the closing stretch reflected no drop in the manager's confidence, Arteta explained, but came from a need to manage his physical workload better.
The reason behind Zubimendi's reduced involvement
Zubimendi played a huge number of matches during the season, Arteta noted, which prompted his staff to cut his minutes in the crucial stage and avoid burning him out.
"We cannot repeat what we did and then reach the final stage of the season and find that he has already played 55 matches. We cannot allow that again at this level," he said.
Signing new midfielders does not mean losing faith in Zubimendi, the Arsenal boss confirmed. It is about providing greater options and managing loads across the season.
Real Madrid lose a new option
Madrid had been monitoring Zubimendi before his name resurfaced as a possible alternative once the club's pursuit of Rodri stalled.
Arteta's comments, however, look clear enough on the Spaniard's future. The manager has no intention of letting him go. He wants to bring him back to his best and keep him ready all season long.
Speaking in comments reported by the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", Arteta added: "Now, I will think about how to raise the player's level so that I can repeat what he did last year, but for 11 months. That's all there is to it."
Madrid, then, may have to look elsewhere in midfield. Arteta has slammed the door on any Zubimendi exit, confirming the player is an important part of Arsenal's project for the new season.
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