After the highs of the Champions League for Arsenal, this week, it’s now back to Premier League action for Mikel Arteta’s men as they look to delay Liverpool’s (likely) title celebrations.
The Gunners play Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon (2pm) where, if they avoid defeat, then it means that Liverpool can’t claim the title in their match with Leicester City a couple of hours later.
The game, of course, comes just a few days after Arsenal sealed their place in the Champions League semi-final. A 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid saw them make it through to the final four of the competition.
As well as eyes being on that mouth-watering clash against Paris Saint-Germain, work will be going on behind the scenes to already start preparations for the 2025/26 season. A lot of the work – unsurprisingly – is on the upcoming transfer window.
Martin Zubimendi worry
Arsenal have been handed a potential worry over a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium this season.
Some reports even suggest that an agreement is already in place over a transfer. Arsenal are, though, not the only side interested in the deep-lying playmaker.
Premier League rivals Liverpool chased Zubimendi publicly last summer, only for him to stay put at Real Sociedad. Real Madrid have also been named as long-term admirers.
It has now been claimed by journalist, Santi Aouna, that Zubimendi is ‘prioritising a move to Real Madrid’ – despite links to Arsenal. It is added that Real Madrid have already ‘personally explained plans’ to the player.
football.london says: If Zubimendi’s preference is a move to Real Madrid, then that would come as a big blow to Arsenal, especially with it looking like a deal was close. Should Arsenal miss out on the midfielder, then it would make the position an even bigger priority in the summer window, especially amid the uncertainty over the futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
Arsenal loanee in set-back
Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares suffered a blow during Lazio’s Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt. After a positive start to life with Lazio, Tavares’ season has been hit with niggling injuries. He made his comeback in the Europa League after missing the Serie A clash against AS Roma with an adductor injury, but lasted just 26 minutes after being thrown on in the second half.