Martín Zubimendi is open to leaving Arsenal in January in search of regular playing time, according to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk. Arsenal is aware of the midfielder’s position and could consider a loan when the window reopens.

Zubimendi played in all 38 Premier League games as Arsenal won the title last season, starting 34 and scoring five goals. Nine games into its title defense, Arsenal has yet to give him a league start.

His role had already begun to change in the spring, when Mikel Arteta gave Myles Lewis-Skelly more time in midfield. Zubimendi was left out of the starting lineup for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Competition increased again in August when Bruno Guimarães arrived from Newcastle United.

Arsenal paid close to £60 million to sign Zubimendi in July 2025. He had spent six seasons in Real Sociedad’s first team, making 236 appearances and winning the Copa del Rey alongside Mikel Merino, who later became his teammate again in London.

Zubimendi had been selective about leaving San Sebastián. He turned down Liverpool a year before joining Arsenal and later explained that he still had things he wanted to learn at Sociedad. The chance to work with Arteta helped persuade him to move the following summer.

A return to Spain is one possibility this winter. Real Madrid’s interest emerged in August, when José Mourinho was looking for an experienced midfielder to play in front of his defense. Bailey also names Barcelona and Atlético Madrid as admirers.