![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/SEI_319800422-922d.jpg\")
\n\t\tArsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tArsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Alan Smith believes that Arsenal<\/a> should consider offering Martin Zubimendi<\/a> to Atletico Madrid<\/a> as part of a swap deal to sign Julian Alvarez<\/a>.<\/p>\n Zubimendi\u2019s future at Arsenal has come into question in recent weeks, with the Spaniard still yet to start a Premier League<\/a> match this season.<\/p>\n The central midfielder made an immediate impact after signing from Real Sociedad for \u00a360million 18 months ago, starting 34 matches as Mikel Arteta<\/a>\u2019s side ended their 22-year wait for another league title.<\/p>\n Fatigue, however, eventually caught up with Zubimendi at the end of last season and his place was effectively taken by teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly<\/a>, who started in his place in the Champions League<\/a> final.<\/p>\n Lewis-Skelly\u2019s continued form, as well as the high-profile summer arrival of Bruno Guimaraes<\/a>, has seen Zubimendi slide down the pecking order in north London and sparked speculation that a January move could be on the cards for the World Cup<\/a> winner.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGet over the international break\t\t\t<\/p>\n Read exclusive analysis of the biggest stories in football with Metro’s weekly football newsletter In The Mixer.\u00a0Sign up now<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen to bring Zubimendi back to La Liga<\/a>, and Smith believes the Gunners can use that interest to finally strike a deal for Alvarez, who they were heavily interested in over the summer. <\/p>\n \u2018Obviously he played a big part last season, but having been an ever-present, he might be getting a bit restless not to be getting starts, just to be coming off the bench for a few minutes, Smith told Best Betting Sites<\/a>. <\/p>\n \t\t \u2018So that might be something that can be part of a bargaining chip for Arsenal. <\/p>\n \u2018If you could do a part swap, then obviously you\u2019re not shelling out over 100 million pounds on Alvarez, because I\u2019m sure Atletico would want something well in excess of that. So that might be a way forward. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n \u2018Looking at his games this season, he\u2019s only got a couple of goals for Atletico. But he\u2019s 26 years old, he\u2019s got some good years ahead of him, and he\u2019s got plenty of energy. So to me, he still looks like the most suitable target for Arsenal.\u2019<\/p>\n On Zubimendi\u2019s quiet start to the season, the former Arsenal striker added: \u2018It\u2019s a strange one. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s happened, whether Arteta has decided he wants a different sort of midfielder. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tShould Arsenal sell Martin Zubimendi in January?<\/p>\n \u2018Obviously, Lewis-Skelly\u2019s coming into the reckoning, and Guimaraes, who\u2019s a totally different player to Zubimendi, he\u2019s more dynamic, more likely to get you a goal.\u2019<\/p>\n Zubimendi has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, but the Arsenal midfielder was keen to pour cold water on any speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates<\/a> in the upcoming window.<\/p>\n \u2018To be honest, I\u2019m sometimes surprised by the press too,\u2019 he told Marca. \u2018I understand that the winter transfer window is approaching and rumors can surface, but I think we need to be a bit more careful with what we publish.<\/p>\n \u2018Ultimately, everyone has a team they play for, and we need to respect that. I\u2019ve also read that I might be close, but not at all.<\/p>\n \u2018Often a news story comes out and it seems that if it doesn\u2019t come true, it\u2019s quickly forgotten and nothing happens. I\u2019m learning how this world works and getting used to it, but sometimes I could avoid a lot of the messages I receive because of this kind of news.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/SEI_317725332-f814.jpg\")
\n\t\tMartin Zubimendi is yet to start a league match this season (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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