Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted that he still regards Martin Zubimendi as “a very important player” despite his lack of minutes so far this season.

The Spaniard has not started a Premier League game since the opening day, but Arteta says that injuries have played a role in Zubimendi not making as many appearances as expected:

“He’s a very important player for us. He’s been a bit unlucky with what happened with the ankle, with the nose afterwards. He had some minutes as well, and we have options in midfield. Like anybody else, everybody has to be ready.”

“Everybody is going to have the chances to play. Then it’s about performing and helping the team to win football matches. But his energy, his application and his will to help are unquestionable, and he’s an unbelievable player for us.”

Zubimendi has only missed 1 game due to injury

Arteta’s excuse is rather flimsy when you look at the Spaniard’s availability so far this campaign. That freak ankle injury he sustained in the warm-down after the win over Leeds last month only forced him to miss one subsequent fixture – the Champions League tie against Lille.

Zubimendi has been in the matchday squad for every other fixture, but his game time has been limited by other factors; mainly the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and the decision to convert Myles Lewis-Skelly back into a midfielder.

Could the Arsenal star leave in January?

Reports suggest that seven teams – Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund – have been made aware by agents that Zubimendi could be on the market during the next transfer window.

That would suggest the 27-year-old is angling for a move away from the Emirates, but based on Arteta’s remarks, he is keen on keeping the player around.