Martin Zubimendi could reportedly consider leaving Arsenal during the January transfer window if his first-team involvement does not improve before the middle of the season.

The Spanish midfielder remains determined to establish himself as an important player under Mikel Arteta, but his current situation has reportedly raised questions about his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea and Real Madrid are both understood to retain an interest in the midfielder and have continued to maintain contact with his representatives.

For now, however, Zubimendi’s priority is not to force an immediate transfer. The midfielder reportedly wants to fight for his place and convince Arteta that he deserves a regular role in Arsenal’s starting XI.

Zubimendi’s Arsenal Future Could Depend on Playing Time

Zubimendi joined Arsenal with high expectations and was viewed as an important addition to Arteta’s midfield options. His technical ability, positional intelligence and experience in Spanish football made him an attractive signing for a team looking to compete for major honours.

However, competition for places in Arsenal’s midfield remains intense. Arteta has several options available to him, meaning Zubimendi must consistently demonstrate his value if he wants to become an automatic starter.

That situation could become particularly significant as the January transfer window approaches.

If Zubimendi manages to regain a regular starting position, there would be little reason for him to consider leaving Arsenal. Regular football would give him the opportunity to establish himself in Arteta’s plans and continue his development in the Premier League.

On the other hand, continued periods on the bench could force the midfielder to reassess his situation.

Chelsea and Real Madrid Remain Interested

Two clubs reportedly monitoring the situation are Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Both clubs have previously been linked with Zubimendi, and their continued interest could provide the midfielder with attractive alternatives if he decides that his future at Arsenal is uncertain.

Real Madrid’s interest is particularly significant given Zubimendi’s profile and his experience in Spanish football. The midfielder has long been regarded as one of Spain’s technically gifted central midfielders, making him a natural candidate for a move to one of the country’s biggest clubs.

Chelsea, meanwhile, could also see Zubimendi as a potential addition to their midfield. The London club has invested heavily in its squad in recent seasons and continues to monitor players capable of strengthening the centre of the pitch.

With both clubs reportedly maintaining contact with Zubimendi’s representatives, Arsenal will be aware that the situation could develop quickly if the player’s playing time does not increase.

Zubimendi Still Wants to Fight for His Place

Despite the transfer speculation, there is currently no indication that Zubimendi has decided to leave Arsenal.

His immediate objective is reportedly to win back a regular role under Arteta.

That is an important distinction because it suggests the midfielder is not actively looking for a way out of the club at this stage. Instead, he appears prepared to compete for his position and prove that he can be an important part of Arsenal’s plans.

The coming weeks could therefore be decisive.

Every start, substitute appearance and performance will potentially influence Zubimendi’s thinking. If Arteta begins giving him more responsibility and regular minutes, the transfer rumours could quickly lose momentum.

But if his situation remains unchanged, the possibility of a January departure could become increasingly realistic.

What This Means for Arsenal

From Arsenal’s perspective, keeping Zubimendi happy could become an important issue as the season progresses.

The club invested in bringing him to North London because of his qualities as a midfielder, and losing him after a relatively short period would raise questions about the squad’s balance and recruitment strategy.

Arteta will ultimately have to decide how frequently Zubimendi features, but managing the midfielder’s expectations could be just as important as selecting his starting XI.

Arsenal are competing on multiple fronts, including domestic and European competitions, so there should theoretically be plenty of opportunities for midfield players to contribute. However, Zubimendi is likely to want more than occasional appearances if he is to remain satisfied with his role.

January Transfer Decision Could Be Delayed

For now, the most likely scenario is that Zubimendi waits before making a definitive decision.

Rather than immediately pushing for a transfer, the midfielder appears ready to give himself an opportunity to change his situation at Arsenal.

That means the next few months could determine whether he remains an Arsenal player beyond January.

If he becomes a regular starter, Arsenal supporters may have little reason to worry about the transfer speculation. If he continues to struggle for consistent first-team opportunities, Chelsea and Real Madrid could become increasingly important options.

Ultimately, Zubimendi’s Arsenal future appears to be closely linked to one major factor: playing time.

The midfielder wants to succeed at Arsenal, but he also needs regular football. If Arteta can provide him with a consistent role, Zubimendi is expected to remain focused on his Arsenal career. If that does not happen, January could present an opportunity for all parties to reconsider the situation.

For now, though, the message from Zubimendi’s camp appears clear: he wants to fight for his place before deciding whether a move is necessary.