The weight of expectation has begun to tell on Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal’s highly-touted midfielder, according to club legend Martin Keown. Despite a promising start to his Premier League career following a £56million move from Real Sociedad, Zubimendi is currently navigating a challenging period of form.
While a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s lineup – starting all but one of Arsenal’s league games – Zubimendi hasn’t found the back of the net or provided an assist in his last nine appearances. This dip in attacking contribution has drawn scrutiny, particularly as Arsenal push for their first Premier League title in over two decades.
Recent performances have left observers like Gary Neville questioning whether Zubimendi is the transformative player Arsenal hoped for. Neville pointed to a lack of dictating presence in midfield, contrasting Zubimendi with iconic figures like Pirlo, Scholes, and Rodri – players who can control the tempo of crucial matches.
The issue, according to Neville, isn’t just Zubimendi’s individual performance, but a problematic congestion in midfield. When Zubimendi drops deep, it often forces Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to do the same, leaving Arsenal with too many players occupying similar positions and lacking dynamic movement.
Keown draws a compelling contrast between Zubimendi’s current struggles and the confident, thriving form of Eberechi Eze. Eze, a player Arsenal once rejected, appears to be relishing the pressure of a title race, embracing the moment with a joyful abandon that Zubimendi seems to lack.
Keown emphasizes that this is a critical juncture for Arsenal, a team accustomed to falling short after building momentum. He believes Zubimendi, now facing a “difficult moment,” needs the unwavering support of his teammates and the fans to rediscover his best form.
The Gunners’ recent 1-0 victory over Newcastle, secured despite a nervy performance, provided a temporary reprieve. But Keown cautions that the title race will be a grueling test of nerve and resilience, with Manchester City breathing down their necks and a challenging schedule still ahead.
With four league games remaining and a Champions League semi-final on the horizon, Arsenal are scaling “Mount Everest.” Keown urges the team to block out the external noise, refocus on their game, and rediscover the connections that fueled their early-season success, starting with a revitalized performance from Martin Zubimendi.
