Martin Zubimendi is hopeful his contribution this season will see him restored to the Arsenal starting XI in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The former Real Sociedad midfielder has been a fixture in Mikel Arteta’s team for most of the season, but a long and gruelling campaign has taken its toll.
After a dip in form, the Spain international was dropped to the bench for the Premier League clash against Fulham, with Myles Lewis-Skelly brought in to replace him. The 27-year-old was also benched in games against West Ham and Burnley, coming off the bench against the Hammers in the first half only to be substituted himself 40 minutes later.
He was among the substitutes as Arsenal clinched their place in the Champions League final, with Lewis-Skelly again given the nod in the semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Zubimendi was back in the side for the final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday, playing the full 90 minutes at right-back. However, it was a much-changed XI from Arteta, with many of the names expected to start against PSG this weekend rested.
Before the Fulham match, Zubimendi had started every single Premier League match this season, playing the full 90 minutes in 22 of those 34. Speaking ahead of the final in Budapest, he admitted a long season has affected his performances but insisted a spell out of the team has allowed him to ‘return to normal’.
Asked if he sees himself in the starting XI against PSG, he told Marca: ‘I always see myself playing, but what actually happens is another matter. Lately, I haven’t been getting much playing time, but I’m ready to go out and play. My overall performance in the Premier League has been very good, and I’m not going to dwell on these benchings.’
He added: ‘It’s been a very demanding, long season, in which I’ve made efforts I haven’t made in my career, and that’s surely taken its toll. But I think I’m back to normal now.’
Arsenal are in their first Champions League final since 2006, seeking to win the trophy for the first time and seal a memorable double after securing the Premier League title.
