Martin Zubimendi is reportedly in line to start for Arsenal when the Gunners return to Premier League action against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The highly anticipated fixture comes after the international break, with Arsenal looking to respond strongly following their disappointing 3–0 defeat away to Brighton in their previous league match. The Gunners currently have four victories from their opening five Premier League games and will be determined to get their campaign back on track.
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The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Arsenal will welcome an unbeaten Leeds side that has made an impressive start to life back in the Premier League. Leeds currently sit fifth in the table, while Arsenal are second, making the encounter an important test for Mikel Arteta’s team. citeturn0search9turn0search11
Zubimendi Set for Important Role
Zubimendi’s potential inclusion from the start could be one of the biggest talking points ahead of the match.
The Spanish midfielder has faced significant competition for a regular starting position since arriving at Arsenal. The presence of players such as Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães has made competition in the centre of midfield particularly intense.
However, Zubimendi’s recent performances for Spain have strengthened his case for more opportunities at club level.
The midfielder impressed during the international break, including in Spain’s 4–1 victory over Croatia. His ability to dictate play, maintain possession and progress the ball from deep once again demonstrated why Arsenal invested heavily in bringing him to north London.
Reports have suggested that Zubimendi is now expected to benefit from the situation surrounding Arsenal’s midfield options as Arteta prepares his team for Leeds.
International Form Gives Zubimendi Confidence
The timing could hardly be better for Zubimendi.
During the international break, the Arsenal midfielder was given an opportunity to start for Spain and produced an impressive performance.
According to Spanish football analysis, Zubimendi controlled the midfield effectively against Croatia, completing almost all of his passes while also contributing strongly in individual duels and progressive carries. citeturn0news16
That performance was particularly important because Zubimendi has not always been a guaranteed starter for Spain due to the presence of Rodri.
The midfielder has acknowledged how difficult it is to compete with Rodri, whom he considers the best holding midfielder in the world. Nevertheless, Zubimendi has continued to demonstrate that he can perform at the highest level whenever given the opportunity. citeturn0news2
Now, he could take that confidence back to Arsenal.
Arsenal Need a Response
Arteta’s team will enter the Leeds match under pressure to respond.
Before the international break, Arsenal suffered a disappointing 3–0 defeat against Brighton. It was a performance that exposed several weaknesses, and Arteta will want his players to demonstrate a completely different mentality when Leeds arrive at the Emirates.
Zubimendi could be particularly important in that regard.
His ability to receive the ball under pressure and move it quickly could help Arsenal regain control of matches. Against a Leeds team that has started the season strongly, Arsenal will need midfielders capable of resisting pressure and controlling possession.
Zubimendi’s calmness could therefore prove crucial.
Rather than relying entirely on direct attacking football, Arsenal could use the Spaniard to dictate the tempo from deeper positions.
Why Zubimendi Could Be Crucial Against Leeds
Leeds have been one of the more impressive teams in the Premier League during the opening weeks of the season.
Daniel Farke’s side remains unbeaten in the league after five matches and has collected nine points. Their defensive record has also been among the strongest in the division. citeturn0search14
That means Arsenal could face a difficult task breaking them down.
Zubimendi’s passing ability could become an important weapon.
The midfielder is comfortable receiving the ball from defenders and finding teammates between the lines. He can also switch play and maintain possession when opponents attempt to press aggressively.
Against Leeds, Arsenal may need precisely those qualities.
The Gunners will likely have more possession, but possession alone will not guarantee victory. They will need to move the ball quickly enough to create openings, and Zubimendi could play a major role in that process.
Competition for Arsenal’s Midfield
The potential start also highlights the strength of Arsenal’s midfield options.
Rice remains one of Arteta’s most trusted players, while Guimarães provides aggression, energy and ball-carrying ability. Zubimendi offers a different profile, particularly with his positional intelligence and ability to control games from the base of midfield.
Arteta therefore has several options available to him.
However, recent reports have indicated that Zubimendi has struggled to establish himself as an undisputed starter at Arsenal. One Spanish analysis noted that he has been averaging relatively limited minutes for the Gunners and has occasionally been used in different positions. citeturn0news16
A starting role against Leeds would give him another opportunity to show that he deserves a more permanent place in the team.
A Chance to Impress Arteta
For Zubimendi, Saturday’s match could be more than simply another Premier League fixture.
It could represent an opportunity to change the conversation surrounding his position at Arsenal.
The midfielder has the technical ability to play at the highest level, but competition for places means every performance matters.
If he starts against Leeds and delivers an influential display, Arteta could face an interesting selection dilemma in the matches that follow.
Zubimendi will know that Arsenal have a demanding schedule ahead, with Premier League and Champions League fixtures coming in quick succession. Arteta will need every member of his squad to be ready.
That makes performances from players such as Zubimendi particularly important.
Arsenal’s History Against Leeds
Arsenal will also enter the match with plenty of confidence from their recent record against Leeds.
The Gunners have won each of their last eight meetings with Leeds and remain unbeaten in their last 16 encounters in all competitions. Arsenal also completed a league double over Leeds last season, winning 5–0 at the Emirates before recording a 4–0 victory at Elland Road. citeturn0news1
Zubimendi was among the scorers in Arsenal’s 4–0 victory at Leeds in January 2026, making the fixture a particularly memorable one for the Spanish midfielder.
That previous success could give Arsenal additional confidence.
However, Arteta will not underestimate Leeds.
Farke’s team has started the new campaign without losing a league match, and their strong defensive record suggests that Arsenal will have to work hard to create chances.
The Importance of Midfield Control
One of the key battles could take place in midfield.
Leeds are expected to make the game competitive and attempt to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm. If the visitors succeed in preventing Arsenal from building attacks comfortably, the Gunners could find themselves struggling to create clear opportunities.
This is where Zubimendi’s composure becomes important.
The Spanish international has developed a reputation for making intelligent decisions with the ball. He rarely appears rushed and understands when to play forward and when to retain possession.
His positioning can also provide defensive protection when Arsenal’s full-backs move forward.
That balance could be vital against Leeds.
Zubimendi’s Arsenal Future
Although it is still early in the season, Zubimendi’s development at Arsenal will be closely monitored.
The midfielder arrived with a strong reputation after establishing himself as one of Spain’s outstanding midfielders. Arsenal expected him to provide control and intelligence in the middle of the pitch.
His adaptation to English football was always likely to require time.
However, his recent international performances suggest that he remains in excellent condition and has the confidence required to make an impact.
A strong performance against Leeds could therefore be an important step in his Arsenal career.
Arteta’s Selection Decision
For Arteta, selecting Zubimendi from the beginning would demonstrate his trust in the midfielder.
The Arsenal manager has consistently emphasized the importance of squad depth, particularly during periods when several matches arrive within a short period.
With injuries and fitness concerns affecting several Arsenal players during the international break, Arteta may need to rotate his squad carefully. Current reports list several Arsenal players as doubtful or unavailable, including Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa and others. citeturn0news15turn0search13
That makes Zubimendi’s availability even more valuable.
A Big Opportunity
Ultimately, a starting place against Leeds could be exactly what Zubimendi needs.
The Spanish midfielder has already shown his quality on the international stage. Now he has the opportunity to demonstrate the same qualities for Arsenal.
If he can control the midfield, maintain possession and help Arsenal create chances, his performance could have a significant impact on the result.
More importantly, it could strengthen his position within Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal need a reaction after the Brighton defeat, while Leeds will arrive at the Emirates full of confidence.
For Zubimendi, that creates the perfect stage.
A strong performance could help Arsenal return to winning ways while simultaneously reminding everyone why he was regarded as one of Europe’s finest midfielders before joining the Gunners.
The potential decision to start Zubimendi against Leeds therefore carries plenty of significance. With Arsenal aiming to challenge at the top of the Premier League and compete across multiple competitions, having a confident and influential Zubimendi could become one of Arteta’s biggest advantages as the season progresses.
