Mikel Arteta sends Arsenal star message amid Bruno Guimaraes challenge

Mikel Arteta has launched a staunch defence of Martin Zubimendi , insisting Arsenal would not have had the same success last season without him.

Zubimendi was almost an ever-present for the majority of the campaign, making an immediate impact after signing from Real Sociedad last month.

The 27-year-old scored five Premier League goals, making it the best season in front of goal of his career, and formed a superb midfield partnership with Declan Rice.

However, in his first season in England, the Spaniard visibly tired as his form dropped in the run-in.

Myles Lewis-Skelly came into the midfield in May to replace him and he got the nod over Zubimendi to start in the Champions League.

Ahead of the new season, which begins for Arsenal on Friday night at home to Coventry, Arteta was keen to point out how significant a role Zubimendi played for the Gunners in their title-winning campaign.

Under pressure: Martin Zubimendi Getty "Zubi without a doubt was one of the best players for Arsenal last season," Arteta said.

"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 team-mates.

"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."

Zubimendi made 57 appearances in all competitions, by far the most he has played in a season in his career.

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