Zubimendi Must Earn The Right To Start For Arsenal – Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a clear message to Martin Zubimendi. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.

Insisting that reputation alone will not be enough to break back into a winning Arsenal side, Arteta demanded total commitment from those looking to displace his current starters.

The Spaniard added that his midfielders must be clinical from deep to feature in his tactical setup for the remainder of the season.

His words, “Piero trained with us and he’s available for tomorrow. [Zubimendi] had a few [opportunities], 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.

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.

It’s a contribution between the two of them, and we’re really lucky to have them both.

I think the way they both started the season is really, really positive. They’re giving us so much, and it’s good numbers for them.

We have really good options because they’re in the right mindset. I’m extremely proud of the chemistry and the desire we have created among the players who both start and finish the game.”