Arsenal supporters have been left scratching their heads after summer signing Martin Zubimendi’s mysterious absence from the club’s recent media output. The £55 million arrival from Real Sociedad, unveiled on July 6, has not been spotted in training photos, team events, or media day materials since his impressive outing in the Gunners’ 3-0 pre-season win over Athletic Bilbao on August 9.
In that match, the Spanish midfielder showcased his composure and tactical intelligence, registering an assist for the opening goal and earning plaudits for how quickly he adapted to Mikel Arteta’s midfield setup. Zubimendi’s performance further fuelled excitement among Arsenal fans, who view him as a ready-made successor to Thomas Partey in the deep-lying midfield role.
However, since then, the 26-year-old has been notably absent from Arsenal’s social media channels and behind-the-scenes coverage. On X (formerly Twitter), prominent fan account @leafricangooner wrote: “Not seen Zubimendi in any of the club media since the Bilbao match.” Others speculated about a possible injury, while some joked that the low-profile Spaniard was simply avoiding the cameras, pointing to his quiet demeanour during his time at Real Sociedad.
The speculation grew louder this week, especially with Arsenal preparing for a high-stakes Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The match marks the start of a campaign in which pressure is mounting on Mikel Arteta to deliver silverware.
Thankfully for concerned fans, Arteta moved quickly to ease fears during his Friday press conference. Confirming that Zubimendi is available for selection, the Arsenal boss said:
“Yes, he had a great integration, a very big impact and he will be fit.”
The update means Arsenal are expected to have an almost fully fit squad to choose from for their trip to face Ruben Amorim’s side. Zubimendi’s availability will be a major boost for the Gunners, as his ball-winning ability, positional discipline, and distribution are set to be pivotal in one of the Premier League’s biggest early-season fixtures.
With the mystery now cleared up, all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see if the Spaniard’s understated presence off the pitch can translate into a commanding one on it.
