Mikel Arteta has revealed that he dropped Martin Zubimendi at Arsenal towards the end of the season just to give him a rest.
The 26-year-old became the first outfield player to win the Premier League while playing every single game in his debut season since the 1992/93 campaign.
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Zubimendi has played 4,269 minutes for the Gunners this term, with only David Raya and Declan Rice playing more minutes.
So, following a hectic debut campaign in the Premier League, Arteta has opted to take him out of the team and explained why he has done so.
Mikel Arteta on dropping Martin Zubimendi
Mikel Arteta believes Martin Zubimendi has had an incredible debut season at Arsenal, but he wanted to rest him towards the end of the season.
Zubimendi started on the bench against Fulham, West Ham and Burnley, along with the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Speaking to Marca, Arteta said: I could give you a thousand examples of players who, in their first year in the Premier League, haven’t been as outstanding as the impressive season Zubi has had.
“But it’s also true that he’s played a number of games he’s never played before, and that’s put him in a difficult position at times.
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In his place, Myles Lewis-Skelly has come into the team and been brilliant, with Arteta adding that he felt Zubimendi’s teammates were better suited to certain matches.
“For me, it was a tough decision, but I think there were better teammates for certain types of matches. We’ve given Zubi some breathing room, a bit of a breather, for these final games,” said Arteta.
The Spanish coach now has a huge decision to make whether he starts Zubimendi or Lewis-Skelly in the Champions League final.
Martin Zubimendi on his ‘demanding’ season at Arsenal
Zubimendi claims that his first season at Arsenal has been very ‘demanding’ and that is likely why he has been dropped.
“I always see myself playing, but what actually happens is another matter. Lately, I haven’t been getting much playing time, but I’m ready to go out and play,” Zubimendi told Marca.
“My overall performance in the Premier League has been very good, and I’m not going to dwell on these benchings.
“I don’t know, ask the manager. It’s been a very demanding, long season, in which I’ve made efforts I haven’t made in my career, and that’s surely taken its toll. But I think I’m back to normal now.”
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