Arsenal are without a number of key players for their fourth Champions League outing of the league phase, including suspended midfield general Martín Zubimendi.
Signing the Real Sociedad metronome was the first major piece of business conducted by the ambitious Gunners in the summer, with Mikel Arteta knowing he had to make up for the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
And Zubimendi has so far been a hit for the Premier League leaders. Stationed at the base of Arsenal’s engine room, the Spanish international has notched the third-most minutes in Arteta’s squad across all competitions this season (1,099) and scored twice, with both goals arriving in the 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest in September.
However, the Arsenal boss will be forced to pivot to an alternative on Tuesday night in Czechia’s capital, as the Gunners face Slavia Prague in Gameweek 4 of the league phase with the aim of maintaining their perfect start to the competition.
The travelling side was already without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli due to injury. Although Zubimendi picked up a knock in Saturday’s 2–0 win over Burnley, that’s not the reason for his midweek absence.
