Mikel Arteta names Arsenal star who can ‘do whatever he wants’ after Carabao Cup win away at Chelsea
Mikel Arteta heaped lavish praise on Martin Zubimendi following Arsenal’s 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg triumph over Chelsea, describing the midfielder’s display as exceptional.
The Spanish playmaker netted the Gunners’ third goal while dictating proceedings from the centre of the park throughout the contest.
“When we talk about Zubi, what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants,” Arteta declared.
“He’s carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and when he gets into the final third and into the box, he’s so composed.”
The Arsenal manager was particularly impressed by Zubimendi’s decision-making in dangerous areas.
“He sees the picture very clear. What he did today was phenomenal,” Arteta added.
Arsenal established their advantage through a combination of set-piece prowess and Chelsea goalkeeper errors.
Ben White opened the scoring with a header from Declan Rice’s delivery, capitalising after Robert Sanchez was caught out of position.
Arsenal went 2-0 up against Chelsea through Viktor Gyokeres
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The visitors doubled their lead shortly after the interval when Sanchez’s handling let him down once more.
The goalkeeper failed to hold Ben White’s cross, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to pounce on the loose ball.
Zubimendi added their third of the match, though Alejandro Garnacho netted twice to give the Blues hope ahead of the second leg.
Despite the commanding performance, Arteta cautioned that nothing had been decided ahead of the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Five things to know about Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta | PA/GETTY
“It’s game on,” the Arsenal boss stated plainly after the final whistle, expressing disappointment that his side had not secured a more comfortable cushion.
Arteta pointed to two significant opportunities to score a fourth goal during a period of complete dominance.
“The result would have been very different,” he reflected.
Chelsea’s late fightback through Garnacho, who struck twice to reduce the deficit, left a sour taste for the Gunners manager.
“In that moment, they had one action, they created a corner, they scored a goal,” Arteta explained.
“That feeling, it’s not perfect, but we have to value what the team has done again.”
Liam Rosenior, overseeing his first home match as Chelsea head coach, stood firmly behind his goalkeeper despite the costly mistakes.
“I’m asking Rob to do things he hasn’t done before,” Rosenior explained.
Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup
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“When my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me.”
The Chelsea boss also noted that Sanchez had produced a stunning stop during the second half.
Rosenior revealed his squad had been severely depleted by fitness issues ahead of the fixture.
Jamie Gittens fell ill the previous evening, while Liam Delap developed dangerously high temperatures just four hours before kick-off.
Cole Palmer was not ready to feature, Reece James was nursing a hip injury, and Moises Caicedo served a suspension.
“I was proud of the bravery of the players,” Rosenior said.
