Arteta could finally ditch Zubimendi by starting Arsenal's next Granit Xhaka

Arsenal's ambitions for the Champions League, even though they are now in the semi-final stage, appear to be their desire to fight for the Premier League title, with Fulham next on the agenda this weekend.

The Gunners have won just two of their last five games against the west London side, despite both being agreed to come in 2025, ensuring that this will not be an easy task at such a difficult stage of the season.

With rivals Manchester City out of action until Monday, there is an opportunity for Mikel Arteta's men to go six points up and apply the pressure, something they have failed to do in key stages of the campaign so far.

The question is, how tired will the north Londoners be after Wednesday's actions, this will be the real test of Arteta's willingness to rotate but also the strength of his team.

Indeed, now would be a good opportunity to give Martin Zubimendi a much-needed break, and the tired Spaniard was not entirely at his best during the week.

Why Zubimendi stepped down from the bench after the Atletico showdown

There is nothing bad about the way Zubimendi played when he returned to Spain. He was neat and tidy, allowing the image of Declan Rice to shine around him.

That said, as has been the case in recent months and weeks, there has been little other than that, with the former Real Sociedad star failing to step up to the plate in key meetings so far in 2026.

Whether a deep-lying option or a more advanced number eight, the 27-year-old has been found wanting in and out of possession, unable to provide a sense of constant spark, creativity, and a worrying lack of control in the center of the park.

Against Atleti, for example, Arsenal's number 36 registered a key pass alone and won just one match, losing the ball seven times and shooting twice.

Perhaps he is just allowing Rice to flourish as mentioned above, but there is also a feeling that Zubimendi will be saved to some extent by the intelligence of the British.

He also struggled against Newcastle United last weekend, losing the ball 10 times after 66 touches, when he made one mistake that led to a shot – just as he did in midweek.

After another muted display at the Etihad before that, where Arsenal's response to Rodri recorded a poor pass rate of 74%, the £60m signing appears to be a man in need of a break, something Arteta has been reluctant to give so far.

Why Arsenal's next Xhaka can now replace Zubimendi

Winning titles and major accolades is a team sport, and while Arteta has been around at the back, on the flanks and in the middle of the attacking midfield this season, it has been as much a matter of fact as you have been in the second midfield.

For most of the campaign, there has been little reason to try to fix the broken pairing of Rice and Zubimendi, although as explained above, the latter is not firing on all cylinders at the moment.

With Christian Norgaard sidelined and Mikel Merino yet to return to action, the problem may be a lack of alternatives, ensuring Arteta can be creative if he wants to make that switch.

Indeed, it may be time to release youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly from that left-back number eight, and England could offer further progress against Zubimendi.

It hasn't been the season the 19-year-old was hoping for, far from it, yet he showed enough in 2024/25 to warrant further opportunities, memorably shining against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

That play may have occurred at left-back, but the left-footer often moved inside to stabilize the pitch, while driving freely and fearlessly at will.

Having moved up to the youth team as a midfielder, the youngster is still waiting for a long run at first-team level in his preferred position, something Zubimendi's fatigue can do.

Lewis-Skelly could emerge as the long-awaited replacement for Granit Xhaka in that number eight position, the Swiss star who shone in his last campaign at the club, scoring 14 Premier League goals in 2022/23 alone.

An orchestrator from deep, the Sunderland captain now has that ability to control progressions and pull the strings in front of the back four, while excelling in and around the opposition box as a provider and goalscorer.

As a left-footed partner who can stay deep before settling into the final third, Lewis-Skelly would represent the perfect back-up, boasting the athleticism and mobility to take the burden off Rice's shoulders in that department as well.

He may have started just two league games all season, although his six Champions League starts give reason for encouragement, as he registered two assists, created three 'big chances' and boasted an 88% accuracy.

As Kobbie Mainoo has shown elsewhere at Manchester United, dips in form and youth involvement don't have to kill, and Lewis-Skelly is the type of player who could be a “future captain” at the Emirates, as club insider Hand of Arsenal hailed.

Now, more than ever, is the time for Arteta to trust him, with the introduction of Xhaka 2.0 possibly the best course of action, both for Lewis-Skelly himself and the tired Zubimendi.