Arsenal are not planning to let Martín Zubimendi leave in January, even as reports in Spain keep linking him with Real Madrid. Pete O’Rourke, quoted by Football Insider, said Arsenal have “no intention of cashing in” on him this winter, while Javi Roldan has gone the other way and said Zubimendi is going to Madrid’s signing in the winter window.
Arsenal's winter stance
The club’s position has been consistent enough: keep the squad together and do not open the door to a mid-season sale. O’Rourke said sources close to the situation believe Mikel Arteta wants the whole group intact for the rest of the campaign as Arsenal compete on multiple fronts.
That lines up with the hard numbers around Zubimendi’s start to life in north London. He has only three Premier League appearances this season, and they have produced 46 minutes in total.
Zubimendi's limited role
His only start this season has come in the League Cup. In the Premier League, his longest appearance so far is 23 minutes, and he has started on the bench in every game so far.
That is the part of the story that makes the transfer chatter feel so loud. The player has not been a regular starter, but Arsenal still do not sound like a club ready to move him on in January. They are protecting the squad depth first, and the Madrid links are still just that, links.
O’Rourke also said Arsenal have no intention of trying to push the 27-year-old out of the door this winter, despite his discontent at the moment. A report from Madrid Universal was even firmer, saying all offers are expected to be rejected.
For now, the sharper point is simple: Zubimendi’s minutes are limited, the speculation is real, and Arsenal are still treating January as a window to hold their squad together rather than trim it.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →
