Zubimendi Pushed Higher as Arsenal Draw 1-1 With Atletico Madrid
Zubimendi moved higher and Arsenal changed shape in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid. Mikel Arteta’s switch gave the visitors a different route through midfield and helped set up their goal before Atletico pulled level.
Arteta’s Build-Up Shift
Declan Rice dropped deep and almost operated as a third centre-back alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, while David Raya also joined the build-up. That left Arsenal with a four-versus-two advantage in the first phase against Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, a cleaner platform than the one they had used earlier in the tie.
The change also pushed Martin Zubimendi into a more advanced position. Rather than sitting as the first pass out of defence, he became the player linking midfield to the final third, a role that echoed Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal days.
Zubimendi and Gyokeres
Zubimendi’s higher station showed up in the move that led to Arsenal’s penalty. After Alvarez was dispossessed, he combined quickly with Martin Odegaard on the edge of the area and then released Viktor Gyokeres, who was brought down by David Hancko.
Gyokeres took the spot-kick and beat Jan Oblak. Arsenal had the opening they wanted from the new structure, with the midfielder higher up the pitch and the forward attacking the box faster off the turnover.
Atletico’s Response
Atletico restored parity with a controversial penalty, and Arsenal were later denied a second spot-kick when Eberechi Eze went to ground. Referee Danny Makkelie initially pointed to the spot before reversing the decision after a lengthy VAR check.
That leaves Arsenal with a 1-1 result and the sense that Arteta can vary his approach in a Champions League tie without losing control of the game. They remain favourites to progress to the final, where Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich could await.
