Arsenal may have left Old Trafford with three points, but their performance in the 1-0 win over Manchester United raised more questions than answers. Riccardo Calafiori’s early header from a Declan Rice corner proved decisive, yet the Gunners’ display was far from convincing.
Two debutants in particular, Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi, came under the spotlight after struggling to make an impact in their first taste of Premier League football.
Zubimendi Under the Microscope
While much of the post-match discussion focused on Gyökeres, Arsenal’s new midfielder Zubimendi also endured a difficult afternoon. Operating alongside Rice and Martin Ødegaard, the Spaniard often found himself isolated in front of the back four, unable to dictate play in the way he did at Real Sociedad.
Former Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney was particularly critical, claiming the 26-year-old looked overwhelmed by the pace of the game.
“I think Zubimendi looked like he got hit with a train yesterday,” Delaney told The Football Show podcast.
“The pace of that game, the regularity with which the ball was changing hands — it was crash, bang, wallop for him. At Real Sociedad, it’s calmer possession, building rotations, but here everything happened so fast. He was trying to drop in and collect from the centre-backs, and the moment he did, he was getting smashed.”
Despite the criticism, Delaney admitted Zubimendi should settle over the coming weeks and prove to be a strong signing for Arsenal.
A Split in Opinion
Not every pundit saw things the same way. Former midfielder Robbie Earle praised Zubimendi’s positional awareness, pointing out how his movement freed up Arsenal’s full-backs to push forward.
And while his debut wasn’t flawless, the numbers show a steady contribution:
Minutes Played: 90 Ground Duels Won: 3/5 (60%) Tackles Won: 2/3 (67%) Accurate Passes: 39/45 (87%) Touches: 58 Passes into Final Third: 4 Dribbled Past: 1 (Stats via FotMob)
Why Arsenal Shouldn’t Be Concerned
Context is important. Declan Rice, usually Zubimendi’s protective shield, endured a poor game by his standards after a disrupted pre-season. That left the Spaniard exposed in a demanding midfield battle.
As Rice regains full fitness, Zubimendi will be allowed to focus more on progressing play rather than constantly firefighting defensively. His ability on the ball — highlighted by his high passing accuracy — should become more apparent as he settles into Mikel Arteta’s system.
One shaky debut in a tough fixture isn’t enough to judge a player who has been brought in to anchor Arsenal’s midfield long-term. Expect Zubimendi to adapt quickly and show why the club invested in him.
