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Arsenal boss makes stance clear on 2 midfielders fighting for places

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the importance of Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino to the team, despite neither being guaranteed a starting spot. Arteta made these comments before Arsenal's Champions League trip to Slavia Prague. The competition for midfield places has increased with the summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães. Zubimendi's season has also been interrupted by injury.

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Arsenal boss makes stance clear on 2 midfielders fighting for places
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 27: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates with Martin Zubimendi after scoring the team's first goal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at the National Stadium on July 27, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · Daily Cannon ↗

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the importance of Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino to the team, despite neither being guaranteed a starting spot. Arteta made these comments before Arsenal's Champions League trip to Slavia Prague. The competition for midfield places has increased with the summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães. Zubimendi's season has also been interrupted by injury.

Arteta believes that the value of Zubimendi and Merino shouldn't be measured solely by their starting frequency. He highlighted that both players are pivotal and need to feel important to the team. Arteta noted that Merino has started some important games after a successful World Cup, and Zubimendi has shown his quality in the limited minutes he played.

Arteta stressed that every player must be ready and that opportunities will arise based on performance. He praised Zubimendi's energy, application, and will to help the team, describing him as an unbelievable player. Arteta's comments underscore his commitment to maintaining a positive team dynamic despite the competition for places.

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Mikel Arteta insists Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino remain pivotal figures for Arsenal, despite neither midfielder being guaranteed a place in the starting XI. Speaking before the Champions League trip to Slavia Prague, Arteta rejected the idea that their importance should be measured simply by how often they start. “If we focus on the players that are starting, obviously that’s something else. “Mikel has started some games already, some important games and he’s coming from a World Cup, a very successful World Cup. We know the value of the players that we have in the squad. “They need to feel important. Competition in Arsenal’s midfield has increased following the summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães, while Zubimendi’s own season has been interrupted by injury.

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