
Martin Zubimendi will be available for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Fulham after missing training on Thursday.
The Gunners make the short trip across the capital to take on the Cottagers in Saturday’s evening kick-off in their first game back after the October international break.
Zubimendi featured in both Spain’s World Cup qualifying games against Georgia and Bulgaria, playing the full 90 against the latter on Tuesday night with his club teammate Mikel Merino bagging a brace for La Roja.
The summer signing has instantly taken to life in north London and has been near ever-present in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
The 26-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of Arsenal’s nine games across the Premier League and Champions League.
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There was concern when the midfielder was not present in an open training session on Thursday, just two days before the Fulham game.
But speaking at a press conference on Friday, Arteta eased any concerns over his availability.
All the players come from different countries, different amount of games and minutes played,’ Arteta said.
‘We believe it was the right thing to do. His load has been really high, but he will be available.’
Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard for the coming run of games with the captain sidelined with a knee problem.
Odegaard was forced off against West Ham United, the third time he has come up before half-time this season.
While he did not provide an exact timescale, Arteta said on Friday it will be ‘a few weeks’ before he is available for selection again, possibly not until after the November international break.
‘He will be weeks, no definite date for his return, but he’s evolving well. It’s very unlucky what’s happening with him and his injuries this season, but I think he will be back in a few weeks, Arteta said.
‘It could be [an absence until after the international break] but we will have to see how he is progressing, how his knee is feeling, how he manages the next steps in his rehab.
‘It’s too early to get an answer.’