Martin Zubimendi’s booking, described as “soft” by fans and pundits, means he will serve a one-match suspension before returning for the home clash with Bayern Munich.
Martin Zubimendi will miss Arsenal’s next Champions League match away to Slavia Prague on 4 November after receiving his third yellow card of the competition during the 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid.
The midfielder was booked in the 38th minute in what most observers described as a harsh decision following a challenge on Nicolás González. Italian referee Davide Massa wasted no time in showing him a yellow card, prompting visible irritation from both Zubimendi and Mikel Arteta on the touchline.
It was Zubimendi’s third caution in as many European appearances, following earlier bookings against Olympiacos and Athletic Club. Under UEFA regulations, three yellow cards in the league phase trigger an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of next week’s trip to Prague.
With Arsenal expected to rotate for what looks their least demanding fixture of the league phase anyway, Zubimendi will return for the home game against Bayern Munich on 26 November.
Fans and pundits alike criticised Massa’s decision, calling it “soft” and “inconsistent” compared to earlier incidents in the match, particularly Koke‘s awful tackle on Bukayo Saka in the first minute which didn’t see yellow. Spanish outlet AS described the challenge as “minimal contact at best”, while supporters noted Zubimendi’s frustration as he walked away shaking his head.
The Spaniard has been instrumental in Arsenal’s strong start to the season, operating as the deep-lying pivot in Arteta’s midfield, dictating tempo. His absence is likely to open the door for Christian Nørgaard or Myles Lewis-Skelly to step in against Slavia, as Arteta continues to manage the workload across his squad.