Martin Zubimendi has warned Arsenal should be wary of Spanish opposition within the Champions League of their bid to finally land Europe’s biggest prize.
Having booked their place within the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal are chasing silverware on 4 fronts.
Top of the Premier League having reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Gunners also qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in top spot after winning every game of the initial league phase.
Arsenal are considered one of five teams to have reached the knockout phase, joined by Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City with Newcastle United to affix them in the event that they get past Qarabag of their play-off.
While English sides have dominated the competition up to now this term, occupying five of the highest eight spots, there was no Premier League representation in each of the last two Champions League finals with City the one winners across the last 4 campaigns.
Barcelona were the one Spanish side to robotically qualify for the knockout stages with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid facing a play-off. Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal have already been eliminated at the primary hurdle.
Zubimendi, who left Real Sociedad to affix Arsenal last summer in a £60million move has warned nonetheless his side ‘cannot count out’ the La Liga giants.
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Talking to El Larguero on the knockout phase of the Champions League, Zubimendi said: ‘That is about winning it.
‘Qualifying is great, but we’ll see who wins it. It’s true that adapting to the league has been good, but I’ve noticed that the matches are very demanding, that everybody puts you under pressure, and that the extent could be very high.
‘It is best to never count out Spanish teams. Barça reached the semifinals last yr, Real Madrid is Real Madrid, and Atlético has good enough players.
‘I don’t know, the Champions League is different, and anything can occur.’
Arsenal have an enormous squad to assist them of their bid for silverware but can be without Mikel Merino for an prolonged period with the midfielder set to undergo foot surgery.
‘He’s in pain. He’s a really skilled one who takes care of himself and at all times thinks about what’s best for the club,’ Zubimendi said.
‘I do know he’s the one who’s most hurt, however the damage his injury has done to the club is important.’
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