Martín Zubimendi (San Sebastián, 1999) seemed the ‘part’ what was missing Arsenal to complete the puzzle. This has been the case, in fact, for much of the course.
The ex of the Royal Societysigned by 70 million euros, put order y made to play to the ‘gunners’. Not only that. It was revealed as arrival to the point of completing the best season of his career at the scoring level: sum six goals y three assists in 54 parties. “I had in mind to improve in this aspect”he acknowledged.
I had in mind to improve in this aspect
Paradoxically, the third player most used by Arsenal -only David Raya (4,410′) y Declan Rice (4.246′) exceed their 4,178 minutes game – has lost his place in the eleven in the crucial stretch of the season: chains three games in a row as alternate.
Artetaadjusted its position in the first leg of the semis against Atlético (1-1) and finished ‘sitting him down’ in the second leg (1-0) – he had already ‘tested’ it in the victory against Fulham (3-0)– to enter Myles Lewis-Skelly. “Maybe I should have done it sooner. It was a risk.I have been hard on him. He had a spectacular season when he broke into the first team and has gone through some tough times, but stayed humble and focused. Here is your reward.”recognized the technician of the Arsenal to value the youth squad.
Zubimendi, that started again alternate In the victory against West Ham (0-1), he experienced a situation anomalous. He came onto the field in the 28th minute in place of Ben White and was replaced by Havertz in the 67th minute.after just 40 minutes on the field.
“It’s never easy to do that to a player, especially someone with Martin’s quality,” assured Artetawho defended his replacement from the board: “We believed that Mosquera’s entry was going to unlock something, but sometimes you have to make another change.”
It’s never easy to do that to a player, especially someone with Martín’s quality.
“The ‘Zubi’ (change) was tough, but I really felt we had to put two attacking midfielders at that time to generate all kinds of problems and danger. As a coach, you have to be cold and do what the game demands to win. “Thank God it turned out well.”insisted the Arsenal coach, who took the victory with a goal from Leandro Trossard in it 83′.
The (change) of ‘Zubi’ was hard, but as a coach, you have to be cold and do what the game demands to win
A variant in the eleven that Thierry Henry defended before Atlético: “I didn’t see Zubimendi do that often: the legs, the anticipation, stopping someone… Make the opponent feel like you are there all the time.”
“There is a fundamental difference between the Arsenal we have seen in recent weeks. No disrespect to Zubimendi, he is a cautious player. Instead, Lewis-Skelly’s first thought is to turn and look ahead quickly. “I think that really allows Arsenal to move faster,” he says. Gary Lineker. The ‘Zubimendi File’ is on the table.
