Martin Zubimendi already planning Arsenal exit? Shock report rocks Gunners

Robin Bairner

6 Mar 2026 07:19 GMT
4 min read

Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal face the prospect of losing Martin Zubimendi in the summer as claims circulate that he is already poised to leave the Emirates Stadium less than a year after arriving from Real Sociedad.

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In a summer of big spending from the Gunners, no one cost more than the €70 million that Mikel Arteta splashed out to lure Zubimendi to the Emirates.

On the face of things, it’s been a deal that has suited everyone. The 27-year-old has been a mainstay of the Arsenal side that is in command of the Premier League title race, fitting in apparently well with the North London side.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Arsenal

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€67M - €81.9M

Speaking earlier this season, Arteta commented: “We only signed Zubimendi in the summer and usually it takes a while to build a connection, but from the first moment we had together in pre-season, I could just tell that I was going to play some good football with him.

“I just really liked him as a person and as a player. As the games have gone on, our understanding of each other has been outstanding. He's such a nice guy.”

Martin Zubimendi plans Arsenal exit amid Elliot Anderson rumours

Zubimendi, though, is already planning a quick exit from Arsenal, according to a report from Indykaila.

The in-the-know account claims that the Gunners are seeking to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and believes that together he and Declan Rice can “dominate English football in the years to come”.

With Arsenal lining up a move for Anderson, the Spaniard is considering a move back to his homeland.

© IMAGO - Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice have been the foundation of Arsenal's team this season

Reports from Spain expand upon the Zubimendi issue specifically. He has struggled to adapt to London life, Fichajes claims.

With the potential arrival of Anderson, the former Real Sociedad star would be relegated to the bench, something the Spanish source claims he is “unwilling to accept under any circumstances”.

Arsenal’s asking price for Zubimendi is €80m.

Is Zubimendi really leaving Arsenal?

Much of this report is speculative, hinging on the assumption that Arsenal are able to sign Anderson from Forest.

This is far from an inevitability. Manchester City have roared into the equation with regards the 23-year-old, with some sources even claiming that his move to Pep Guardiola’s side is already a formality.

In this case, the prospect of Zubimendi departing the Emirates appears slim.

Indeed, given the success of his partnership with Rice this season it would be a shock to see Arteta willingly tear up this partnership. While Zubimendi is the senior partner, at 27 years old, he is far from finished and has a contract in North London until 2030.

Arsenal have shown a ruthless edge with players under Arteta, but if they were to be so brutal with Zubimendi, it would come as a huge surprise.

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