Arsenal manager closes exit door on Real Madrid-linked Spanish midfielder: ‘A really important player’

Arsenal manager closes exit door on Real Madrid-linked Spanish midfielder: ‘A really important player’ Real Madrid have been in the market to sign a new midfielder for Jose Mourinho’s squad this upcoming season. The club were linked with a move for Rodri from Manchester City, but the Spaniard gave his preference to a move to Barcelona. Since then, one other player who has emerged on Los Blancos ’ radar is Martin Zubimendi , but Madrid never really pursued the Arsenal midfielder. Now, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano , Mikel Arteta has ended the chatter surrounding Zubimendi’s future once and for all. Arteta makes Arsenal stance clear Asked about the possibility of Zubimendi leaving, Arteta gave a direct response. “No, he’s a really important player,” the Arsenal coach said. He then underlined just how highly the midfielder is valued in north London. Zubimendi has been linked to Real Madrid recently. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) “Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks.” That leaves very little ambiguity around Arsenal’s position. Madrid links unlikely to develop Real Madrid have been linked with Zubimendi at different points this summer. The Spain international is an obvious fit on paper because of his ability to control possession, organise build-up and play at the base of midfield. However, interest only matters if the selling club are open to negotiations. The key issue is not simply that Zubimendi is under contract. Arteta clearly sees him as one of the foundations of his team. Arteta has ruled out Martin Zubimendi’s transfer. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) When a coach publicly credits a midfielder with being among the best players of the previous season and suggests the team’s success depended heavily on him, it is difficult to imagine the club voluntarily opening the door. Despite Bruno Guimaraes’ signing, it looks like Arteta is keen on keeping hold of the Spaniard and will use him extensively this upcoming season. Time for Madrid to move on Unlike the way Los Blancos have operated this window with other transfer targets, there has been a lot of dilly-dallying when it comes to Zubimendi. The club had discussed the option internally for weeks before concluding that he was not at the level to play for the Spanish club. Now, it has emerged that even if Madrid wanted to move for Zubimendi, it was very unlikely that Arsenal would have opened the door. It is time for Los Blancos to move on once and for all from the Gunners midfielder and start focusing on other targets.