Arsenal star responds to calls to join Real Madrid to solve major problem

Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi has dismissed suggestions he would have been ‘the missing piece of the puzzle’ at Real Madrid.

The Spain international is enjoying a perfect first season in the Premier League following his £60million summer move from Real Sociedad, playing a key role in the Gunners side battling on four fronts this season.

Zubimendi turned in another influential performance as Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday night with a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea.

Prior to his switch to north London, there was late interest from Real Madrid, driven by Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of last season.

Alonso, who left his post as Real head coach in January, identified Zubimendi as a long-term replacement for Toni Kroos who retired from football the previous year.

Reports in Spain suggested Zubimendi would have considered the move but ultimately, Real left it too late with Arsenal finalising a deal to bring him to the Emirates.

Real boast midfield options of Ernesto Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler but are still lacking a controlling presence the like of which Zubimendi has brought to Arsenal’s engine room.

Zubimendi spoke to Spanish radio programme El Larguero after Tuesday’s win where the topic of him being exactly what Real are missing was brought up.

But the Spain international played down those suggestions, insisting Real have more than enough to get by.

‘I don’t think so. Madrid has more than enough players to do well. No way, no way,’ he said.

Arsenal have not won any trophies since 2020 with their wait for a league title dating back 22 years. Zubimendi’s arrival has coincided with the Gunners clicking into gear with four trophies a very realistic possibility with a date at Wembley now confirmed.

‘[There are] very important months are coming up, we’ve taken the first step, but then we have to win it,’ Zubimendi said.

‘It was a very difficult match, Chelsea has a great team, but we were able to score the goal at the end and secure qualification.’

Asked if the dream is to win the Premier League this season, he added: ‘Well, among other things, yes. The complete dream would include more things, but I’ve realised that it’s given a lot of importance here, and after everything I’ve experienced at Arsenal, we really deserves it, because it’s very difficult to win.’