Arsenal Injury Blow as Martin Zubimendi Suffers Knock after Leeds Win

Arsenal beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday as they returned to winning ways after the extended international break.

The visitors initially stunned The Emirates as James Justin fired Leeds ahead shortly after the interval, but a quick turnaround from Arsenal ensured the hosts left left with all three points.

Riccardo Calafiori converted from close range shortly after the opener, and Bruno Guimarães needed just seven minutes on his competitive home debut to put Arsenal ahead.

The Brazilian joined Arsenal from Newcastle United this summer, with the clubs agreeing on a £75million fee for the 28-year-old after lengthy negotiations.

Despite having already scored two goals to put Arsenal ahead this campaign, Guimarães currently appears to rank behind Myles Lewis-Skelly in the pecking order.

Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, both members of the leadership group, have cemented their spots in midfield, but the final position in the middle of the park remains up for grabs.

The spot is highly contested, with Lewis-Skelly having only displaced Martin Zubimendi in the latter stages of last season.

The Spaniard arrived in north London in July 2025 in a deal worth in the region of £51million, as Arsenal fended off a late effort from Real Madrid, a year after Zubimendi had turned down Liverpool having learned of the Gunners' interest.

Zubimendi appeared in 57 matches in all competitions last season, at least ten more than in any of his seasons at Real Sociedad.

During the title run-in, though, Arteta opted to bench his compatriot for Lewis-Skelly, with Zubimendi starting just one of the last six games of the season, the trip to Crystal Palace after Arsenal had already been confirmed Premier League champions.

This season has started in similar fashion, with the Spain international's only start coming in the Carabao Cup third-round win at Ipswich Town, where he recorded an assist.

Against Leeds on Saturday afternoon, he was an unused substitute at Arsenal for the first time since January.

Having not featured, the 27-year-old was among a number of players who played a small-sided game as a warm-down after full-time.

In a blow to Arsenal, Zubimendi sustained a knock during the session, according to AFCAMDEN on X, and the severity of the injury remains unknown.

The Spaniard joins Piero Hincapié in the treatment room, after the defender was carried off the pitch by Kepa Arrizabalaga, having picked up an ankle injury in the same warm-down.

Arsenal are yet to learn the extent of either injury, but will continue preparations to host Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday night, a game both players had been tipped to start.