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Turn the clock back twelve months, and Martín Zubimendi looked set to be yet another shrewd Arsenal signing.
Having arrived from Real Sociedad for $82 million (£60 million), the defensive midfielder was immediately slotted into Mikel Arteta's first-choice lineup. He completed the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's opening four Premier League fixtures, even scoring twice in a home win against Nottingham Forest.
The Spaniard appeared to be the final piece of the jigsaw—an ideal shield for an ever-improving backline and the player who allowed Declan Rice to push further forward.
Yet the early acclaim Zubimendi received at Arsenal gradually diminished as the season wore on. By the time the campaign ended, he had lost his starting berth to the up-and-coming Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Following a World Cup triumph—one in which Zubimendi played a limited role for Spain—the 27-year-old now faces yet another hurdle standing between him and a regular starting spot: Bruno Guimarães. On top of that, Mikel Merino's return from injury has made the competition for playing time even fiercer.
Right now, it's a battle Zubimendi appears to be on the losing side of, and that has sparked talk about his long-term future at the club.
Why Zubimendi Could Push for Arsenal Exit
Sadly for Zubimendi, he is just one of a long list of midfield options at Arteta's disposal.
Martin Ødegaard's outstanding early-season performances have cemented him alongside Declan Rice as an automatic starter in the midfield three, leaving Zubimendi to compete with Lewis-Skelly, Guimarães, and Merino for the one remaining position. And that's before factoring in Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz, who can also operate in deeper midfield roles.
Arteta's wealth of midfield options has inevitably restricted Zubimendi's game time. He has yet to start any of the club's four competitive games this season and was also left out of the XI for the Community Shield. In total, he has accumulated just 72 minutes on the pitch.
Wednesday's away fixture against Napoli seemed tailor-made for Zubimendi to claim his first start of the campaign, but Arteta had other ideas. He selected Rice alongside Merino and Ødegaard, with Guimarães the first midfield replacement introduced. Ultimately, Zubimendi was handed a mere eight minutes off the bench.
It's easy to understand why Zubimendi would feel aggrieved at his limited involvement, particularly given that he was an undeniably vital part of Arsenal's title-winning squad. He featured in every single Premier League game, starting 34 of them, and appeared 13 times in the Champions League.
Arteta has shown no hesitation in dismantling parts of the squad that ended Arsenal's 22-year wait for a title last season, sanctioning the departures of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus.
At the rate things are progressing, Zubimendi could be the next to head for the exit.
What Has Arteta Said About Zubimendi?
Zubimendi was heavily linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid during the most recent transfer window amid doubts over his future; however, Arteta was swift to reassure his fellow Spaniard of his value in north London.
"Zubi without a doubt was one of the best players for Arsenal last season," Arteta said in August.
"Without him we would never get into the position that we got in the last few weeks, and he deserves massive credit. He deserves some credit from all of us, all the coaches, myself and especially his teammates.
"We know that without him we would never reach the level and the way that we competed throughout 10 months. At the end, yeah, he didn't play that much. He still played some important minutes, but he didn't play that much.
"But no one can neglect the importance of what we did and how important he is for us. So that's something that's important to comment because a lot of people end with the taste, 'No, but this player played in the Champions League final'.
"This guy did it for 10 months. Otherwise, we weren't here, and we wouldn't be playing in those finals. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that."
Could Chelsea, Real Madrid Sign Zubimendi?
Regardless of how effusively Arteta praises Zubimendi, actions carry more weight than words. If he continues to be handed a peripheral role, it's entirely logical that he will seek regular football elsewhere at such a pivotal stage of his career.
As such, Chelsea's reported interest could be worth monitoring ahead of the January window. The Blues are crying out for midfield reinforcements after failing to adequately replace Enzo Fernández, and a short cross-London switch could hold real appeal for Zubimendi.
Chelsea and Arsenal have exchanged players on several occasions in recent years—Noni Madueke and Havertz being the most recent examples—and Zubimendi has a prior working relationship with Xabi Alonso from his time in Real Sociedad's B team. The midfielder has even referred to Alonso as his "idol" in the past.
Naturally, a return to Spain would also be an attractive proposition, and Madrid are another club seeking reinforcements in the engine room. Their vulnerable midfield continues to be a concern early in José Mourinho's tenure, and Zubimendi could offer the bite and defensive solidity they need. Having missed out on Rodri to Barcelona, Los Blancos could realistically turn their attention to his international colleague.
Any transfer remains a distant prospect for now, and much can shift between today and the winter window. But if Arteta is serious about retaining Zubimendi, he will need to hand him a more meaningful role in the months ahead.