The reason behind Martín Zubimendi's dip in form is painfully obvious

For every football coach, player and supporters, a season is long. However, for Arsenal fans, this campaign has felt particularly so, claiming a first Premier League title in 22 years after four years of trying by Mikel Arteta's team. Well, few have experienced how quickly things can turn like Martín Zubimendi, a player who has broken a record among all Arsenal new signings.

Earlier in the campaign, the discussion around the Spanish midfielder was just how well he had instantaneously adapted to life in the Premier League. However, more recently, Zubimendi has lost his starting spot in the side, one that had been undisputed for almost the entire campaign. After starting in midfield for the very first time at senior level against Fulham, Myles Lewis-Skelly now seems set to partner Declan Rice in the Champions League final in Budapest, something no one could've foreseen just a few weeks ago.

For Zubimendi, he was ignominiously subbed on and then off against West Ham, but understandably so, introduced when Benjamin White got injured, before being hooked for Martin Ødegaard as Arsenal badly needed a goal. Nevertheless, it is clear that Zubimendi has not been as consistent in recent months as he was earlier in the campaign, but there is an obvious reason for this.

By coming off the bench against Burnley on Monday night, Zubimendi has now made the joint-most appearances (55) of any Arsenal player during their debut campaign at the club.

Arsenal players to make 50+ appearances during debut campaign

Note: Information courtesy of Harvey Downes.

Only 16 Arsenal players have accumulated 50+ appearances during their first campaign at the club, of which three are goalkeepers. Assuming he features against Crystal Palace or PSG, Zubimendi will become the outright record holder in this regard, while Viktor Gyökeres will match previous record holder Pat Jennings' tally from 48 years ago, should he take to the field in both.

It is noteworthy that Zubimendi, Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze are all on this list, emphasising how many games Arteta's team have played this season. So why has this been an issue for the Spanish midfielder in particular? Well, never before has the 27 year old accumulated this many minutes in a campaign across his entire career.

Martín Zubimendi club minutes by season

Note: All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.

Zubimendi's final season at Real Sociedad was the most minutes he had ever racked up during a single campaign in San Sebastián, but he has played almost 200 more this time around, roughly three and a half hours. He also started five of Spain's six World qualifiers in the autumn, as well as the full 210 minutes across June's Nations League finals, scoring against Portugal in the final in Munich.

So, it is only natural that Zubimendi does not as sharp now as he was in September/October time, but Gooners have been far to quick to write off someone who has been outstanding for the majority of the campaign.

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