Arsenal recorded a long-overdue Champions League win in Italy with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan.
Manuel Akanji was wrong about Arsenal, as the Gunners really are the team to beat in Europe this season.
It’s seven wins from seven for Mikel Arteta’s side in the league phase of the Champions League, booking an express ticket to the round of 16, dodging the play-offs.
The stellar night at San Siro was packed with positives; however, one player couldn’t avoid criticism from Arsenal fans.
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Arsenal fans didn’t like Martin Zubimendi’s performance against Inter Milan
Gabriel Jesus dazzled against Inter Milan at the top end of the performance spectrum, and at the other end was Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta rotated his squad to face Inter, which included benching Declan Rice, which clearly impacted Zubimendi’s evening.
On X, Arsenal fans were in total agreement when analysing Zubimendi’s display, and it wasn’t pretty.
“Zubimendi shocking so far,” one X user posted mid-game.
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They weren’t alone in their assessment: “Zubimendi is having a nightmare out there. Hiding from the ball and giving away the ball far too easily.”
Another fan wrote, “My only issue is Zubimendi is really struggling in transition, and he looks tired.”
Fans hit boiling point when Zubimendi’s sluggish actions in midfield led to Inter scoring a first-half equaliser.
“Inter drove through the centre easily for their goal because Zubimendi out of possession is a complete liability, especially when Rice isn’t there to do the job of two.”
A fellow Gooner agreed, “Zubimendi is responsible for that Inter goal going in, how do you block a shot like that, does he not see how Gabriel block shots?!”
It was a poor night by the Spaniard’s standards, given that Zubimendi has been Arsenal’s signing of the summer.
Still, that didn’t excuse his performance at San Siro, which one fan dubbed, ‘so bad’.
Changes will happen in Arsenal’s midfield because of Inter Milan win
Zubimendi was far from his best against Inter, particularly before Rice was introduced.
The 26-year-old will have to get used to not having the Englishman alongside him, as in Arsenal’s next Champions League match, Rice is suspended, as is Mikel Merino.
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Rice and Merino were booked against Inter, subsequently ruling them out of the final league phase match against Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan.
It’s not the end of the world, as with all due respect to Kairat, Arteta would’ve almost definitely rotated the duo anyway.
One thing’s for sure, though, and that’s that Zubimendi will be eager to up his game next time out.
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