Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal secured a berth in the Champions League semifinals after overcoming Sporting in the last eight. 

The Gunners sealed a 1-0 win in the first leg in Portugal and the return leg at the Emirates ended in a goalless draw on Wednesday. This meant Kai Havertz’s goal last week proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Martín Zubimendi played the full 90 minutes in both legs against the Lions. He has been a regular under Mikel Arteta since joining the Gunners from Real Sociedad in July 2025, playing 3,842 minutes from 48 matches.

His Premier League stats are as follows:

  • Appearances: 32
  • Starts: 31
  • Total minutes: 2,680
  • Minutes per game: 84

Prior to moving to the north London club, there were reports of Real Madrid’s interest. Last October, he refused to discuss the La Liga giants and said he “went all out” to join Arsenal.

Real Madrid links follow Arsenal star

After yesterday’s match, Arsenal’s Martín Zubimendi spoke to Cadena Ser’s El Larguero and El Desmarque have relayed his comments.

There’s been no concrete claims of Real Madrid’s interest in the 27-year-old recently but that didn’t stop him from being asked about it.

Responding to that, he said: “I don’t have an answer, but I haven’t been paying much attention to all that. I think that’s in the past, and I have other things on my mind. It’s not a bad thing.” 

Mikel Arteta’s side face Atlético Madrid, who beat Barcelona, in the Champions League semi-final.

On facing Diego Simeone’s side, Zubimendi explained: “I already know them well, and they have a match against Real Sociedad this weekend, so we’ll see how it goes. Anyway, I think they’re in great form, with a lot of confidence and spirit, as is typical of Atlético de Madrid. We already know them from the group stage, but this will be different.”

Midfielder on Gunners’ recent struggles

Arsenal have one win in their last five matches in all competitions. In the same period, the Gunners lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City and were eliminated from the FA Cup by Southampton. It also includes a league loss to AFC Bournemouth last weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s are leading the table, six points behind second placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Martín Zubimendi also spoke to the reporters in the mixed zone and Infobae have relayed his comments.

On the Premier League side’s recent three defeats, he added: “It’s been tough, both for the team and for me personally. We have games every three days. When you’re injured, you have to recover quickly, and today [against Sporting] is proof of that.”

Arsenal’s remaining fixtures this season

The Gunners have six league matches and at least two more in the Champions League this season.

Their fixture list are as follows:

  • v Manchester City [away] on April 19th
  • v Newcastle [home] on April 25th
  • v Atlético Madrid [away] on April 29th
  • v Fulham [home] on May 2nd
  • v Atlético Madrid [home] on May 5th
  • v West Ham [away] on May 10th
  • v Burnley [home] TBD
  • v Crystal Palace on May 24th

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR