Arsenal cannot make the same mistake with Christos Tzolis as they did with Martin Zubimendi

Martin Zubimendi played every Premier League game in Arsenal’s title-winning season.

He was the only Arsenal player to do so, and only David Raya and Declan Rice played more minutes.

For the first six months, he was outstanding. His composure and reliability were exactly what Arsenal needed in the base of midfield. He was a breath of fresh air.

And then the schedule caught up with him.

By the run-in, Zubimendi’s performances had noticeably declined. The energy levels dropped and mistakes crept in, and he lost his starting place to Myles Lewis-Skelly, at the most critical point of the season.

Playing 58 games across all competitions had taken its toll, and Arsenal learned from that.

Bruno Guimaraes was signed specifically to ensure Rice and Zubimendi could be properly rotated.

Mikel Arteta now has proper midfield depth to protect players across a gruelling 60-plus game season.

The same lesson must now be applied to the left wing. And that is why Arsenal selling Gabriel Martinelli without signing a replacement could be a mistake.

Arsenal must sign a winger to help Christos Tzolis

Christos Tzolis has been brilliant so far. Following up impressive pre-season displays with two assists in the Community Shield, he has made that his spot to lose as far as the Coventry game is concerned.

But he is a £34million signing from the Belgian Pro League, and was brought in to be a backup to the ‘marquee’ signing in the first place.

Expecting him to carry Arsenal’s left-wing position across 60-plus games in his debut season, with no proven backup behind him, is a huge ask.

Zubimendi was an established Spain international and a proven La Liga operator, when he arrived. And even he struggled under the weight of a full Arsenal season without rotation.

Tzolis needs competition, particularly if Martinelli leaves as anticipated.

There is still Eberechi Eze, but it remains to be seen whether Arteta fully trusts him on the left wing, after his defensive work rate in that position previously caused issues.

As for who they could sign, we know Arteta is a big fan of Kenan Yildiz from Juventus.

The Turkish international is young (21), quick, technically-gifted, and proven in a top league — he would make a ton of sense as a Martinelli replacement.