Martin Zubimendi set for new Arsenal role that nobody saw coming
Martin Zubimendi has struggled for minutes so far this season but started against Ipswich
Arsenal secured a valuable Carabao Cup third-round victory at Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening, and the out-of-favour Martin Zubimendi was forced to play out of position at Portman Road.
The Spanish midfield technician has found minutes hard to come by so far this term, so he would have been grateful to earn a start - even if he was shifted to right-back.
Zubimendi has played the role before under Mikel Arteta, featuring in the same spot on the final day of last season when Arsenal won 2-1 at Crystal Palace.
But right now, his best chance of playing might just be at full-back after Ben White suffered a groin niggle in the 2-0 win at Sunderland last Saturday.
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White has been a regular starter this season as Jurrien Timber steps up his recovery from a minor groin procedure earlier this summer.
The England international has been excellent but he was taken off at The Stadium of Light because he could not continue. Timber then returned from the bench.
The Dutchman's involvement - his 45-minute cameo represented his first minutes of the season - meant he could not be involved for the Gunners in Suffolk, according to Arteta.
Suddenly, Arsenal look rather short where defensive depth is concerned. Piero Hincapie was also missing while Cristhian Mosquera is yet to recover from hamstring tightness.
Timber's minutes will also have to be managed given he's had such a rough time with his groin. Throwing him in from the get-go in a high-intensity game against Brighton on Saturday might prove to be too much.
Martin Zubimendi slotted in at right-back for Arsenal on Tuesday
Ultimately, that's a call for Arteta and the medical staff to make as they await a promising update on White. Outside of that though, Zubimendi has proven he can be trusted as viable cover.
Instead of sitting on the right-side of defensive, Zubimendi has the licence to invert and get himself on the ball. He was involved in Max Dowman's second goal and also enjoyed some bright defensive actions, shutting down Ipswich attacks.
He was an undroppable figure this time last season for the Premier League champions but he's now fourth in the central midfield pecking order and this new right-back avenue could offer him a temporary solution.
However, the international break will also provide Arsenal with a chance to get absent stars back but first, Brighton beckons and it's a game the Gunners will want to win.
They battled hard to win at the Amex in March when Bukayo Saka netted the all-important winner but this time around, the Seagulls head into the contest inside the top-four and off the back of a five-goal triumph at Coventry City.
Zubimendi looks best equipped to solve Arsenal's right-back worries unless there is scope to shift Ezri Konsa to full-back. The Spaniard surely did enough to earn his manager's trust on Tuesday following a sturdy showing against Ipswich.
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Ryan Taylor is a London-based Football Reporter who has worked across Reach's National titles since 2018. After graduating from the University of Brighton with a Sports Journalism degree, he previously climbed the ranks of the Daily Express, where he also covered boxing, before joining the Sunday Mirror as a Football Reporter in 2023. Ryan has developed a strong track record for breaking news on the London football beat.
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