Arsenal trio Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya are all part of Spain’s World Cup squad.
So is a player they clashed with on the pitch just last month.
Spain head into their second group game against Saudi Arabia on Sunday needing a response after a surprising 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.
Merino, Zubimendi and Raya were all named on the bench for the opener, and only Merino featured, coming on after 70 minutes.
Marc Pubill explains the ‘real problem’ he is avoiding with the Arsenal trio
Also in the Spain squad is Marc Pubill, who clashed with several Arsenal players after the Champions League semi-final last month.
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Arsenal won the second leg 1-0 to send them through to Budapest following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Metropolitano.
Pubill took exception to Viktor Gyokeres celebrating in front of him after the final whistle, shoving the striker from behind.
Several players from both sides got involved, with Gabriel Jesus and Pubill having a physical altercation before Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly helped calm things down.
Speaking to MARCA, the Atletico Madrid defender was asked directly about the incident at the Emirates.
“By the way, since you mentioned it, Merino, Zubimendi and Raya have finally acknowledged that there was a little bit with you there at the Emirates,” the interviewer said.
“We haven’t talked about it there, and I don’t want to talk about it because if we do, that’s a real problem. That’s a real problem. I might not enjoy it as much then,” Pubill said, suggesting the matter is far from settled.
Both Pubill and the Arsenal trio, though, are likely far more concerned about focusing on the World Cup, particularly after failing to beat one of the lowest ranked teams in the tournament.
The last thing they need is unresolved tension lingering in the camp, but it does seem like Pubill’s frustration from that night hasn’t gone away.
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