Arsenal are gearing up for the first north London derby of the season upon the return of Premier League action. The Gunners entered the most recent international break as the league leaders - a position they've maintained for six straight weeks.
Despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland earlier this month, their four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City remained. Despite the quality of Mikel Arteta's men, their injury list continues to grow with Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for at least a month after suffering an injury in action for Brazil.
The likes of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli remain out of commission in another stern test of their title credentials against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. With the opportunity to retain bragging rights against Spurs, having done the double over them last season, Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest Arsenal news.
The Spaniard joined the Gunners in a £51million deal this past summer from boyhood club Real Sociedad, just a year after his club and international team-mate Mikel Merino made the identical move.
The midfielders had a joint interview with the Premier League as Merino heaped praise on Zubimendi for his quality, admitting Arteta wouldn't have signed him if he didn't think the 26-year-old could improve the Gunners.
"He honestly brings a lot," Merino said. "They don't make signings here for no reason and whenever someone comes in, it's to add something to the team." Much had been made of Zubimendi's defensive quality and his ability to control games ahead of his arrival, but his goal-scoring ability was not discussed as a strong attribute of his.
Having scored just 10 goals in 236 games for Sociedad, Zubimendi already has two for Arsenal which he scored both in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest back in September. He admitted himself the difference in his ability to finish chances would shock his former club.
Zubimendi said: "I wonder what they think at Real Sociedad because I had so many chances like that, but never scored from them, and the first one here goes in. I'm happy to score so quickly as that gives you a confidence boost."
Widely heralded as one of world's best midfielders, Declan Rice's leadership has long been praised by team-mates and contemporaries. Having been West Ham's captain for two years before his £105m move to north London, he's since become part of the club's leadership group alongside skipper Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Merino.
While it's been Saka who has usually stepped in as captain this season when Odegaard has been injured, the winger propped up Rice's skills as a leader and sounded off on his positive influence in the dressing room.
"Dec is not only a great player but he's a great leader," the 23-year-old said. "Obviously he was captain at West Ham and even around Arsenal, he's a big leader. He's a guy that takes a lot of responsibility in the changing room and gets the boys going.
"So credit to him for that and of course he's doing that here now as well. He's in really good form, a really good mood and I am happy to be his team-mate. Obviously he speaks with authority.
"He communicates well, he knows what to say at the right moment. But I think he has that backed up with his presence on the pitch, how he plays. He plays every game, he's always available."
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