"He's so good": Mikel Arteta blown away by Arsenal star with 94% passing vs Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on midfielder Martin Zubimendi following the club’s 3-2 win over Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners went into the game with an eight-match unbeaten streak against the Blues, and continued the run with an impressive all-round performance.

Viktor Gyokeres bagged the man of the match award after a goal and an assist, but Zubimendi was equally good and caught the eye with his forward runs.

The Spaniard scored the third goal with a fine left-footed shot from a Gyokeres assist, but was also solid with his distribution, completing 94 percent of his passes.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said that Zubimendi has similar qualities to Declan Rice and added that the 26-year-old is ‘so good’ at occupying different spaces.

He told Arsenal.com: “Well, I think when we talk about Zubi, it’s what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants, it’s a bit similar to Declan’s qualities.

“We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he’s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box.

“He’s so composed; he sees the picture very clear. The picture actually is clear sometimes, I know the parts of the pitch and what he’s done today, I think it’s phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well.”

Zubimendi was one of eight signings made by the Gunners during last summer’s transfer window. The former Real Sociedad man has undoubtedly been the best acquisition for the London giants.

He has been terrific in the number six role for Arteta’s side and has brought the best out of Rice, too, with the Englishman having more freedom to press forward due to the defensive assurance behind.

It was the other way around on different occasions yesterday. Zubimendi made a couple of untracked forward runs during the opening half and eventually capitalised in the second half to bag the club’s third goal.

His strike has helped Arsenal secure a slender one-goal advantage for the second leg. The Gunners host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on February 3. There is plenty to play for before then.

The Gunners face Nottingham Forest away from home in the league this weekend, followed by a big challenge against Inter Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro.

Arsenal then face Manchester United, Kairat Almaty and Leeds United in the space of six days before hosting the Blues in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final next month.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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