Arsenal may have won at Mansfield — but two of their most important midfielders were nowhere to be seen.
After the final whistle, Mikel Arteta finally revealed the real reason behind their sudden absence.
Arsenal Mystery Explained: Mikel Arteta Reveals Why Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi Were Missing Against Mansfield
Arsenal progressed to the next round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town, but the result was not the biggest talking point of the night.
Instead, attention quickly shifted to two surprising absences in the travelling squad: Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
The missing midfield duo sparked immediate concern among Arsenal supporters, particularly with a demanding run of fixtures looming on the calendar. Speculation spread rapidly across social media as fans wondered whether the pair had suffered injuries that could impact the Gunners’ season.
After the match, however, Mikel Arteta stepped forward to clarify the situation, offering reassurance while also revealing the difficult balancing act facing his squad.
A Night of Questions Before Kickoff
When Arsenal’s team sheet for the FA Cup clash at One Call Stadium was released, supporters immediately noticed that two key midfield figures were missing.
Declan Rice — one of Arsenal’s most influential players this season — was absent.
Martin Zubimendi — another crucial presence in the middle of the park — was also nowhere to be found.
With Arsenal competing across multiple competitions and entering one of the busiest periods of the season, the absence of both players triggered alarm.
Fans began asking the same questions online:
Were Rice or Zubimendi injured?
Would they miss upcoming Premier League matches?
Was this the beginning of a deeper squad problem?
For several hours, uncertainty dominated the conversation surrounding Arsenal’s FA Cup fixture.
Arsenal Still Get the Job Done
Despite the concern surrounding the squad list, Arsenal managed to secure the result they needed.
Facing determined resistance from Mansfield Town, the Gunners had to work hard for their 2–1 victory, but ultimately their quality proved enough to push them into the next round of the competition.
It wasn’t a flawless performance.
Mansfield battled relentlessly and forced Arsenal to stay focused until the final whistle. But the result achieved Arteta’s primary objective: progression in the FA Cup without exposing key players to unnecessary risk.
That decision became clearer once the manager spoke after the match.
Arteta Reveals the Truth
Following the game, Arteta addressed the absence of Rice and Zubimendi directly.
According to the Arsenal manager, both players had been dealing with minor physical issues, and the coaching staff decided it was the perfect moment to allow them to recover.
Speaking after the match, Arteta explained:
“They had issues and they’ve been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing is obviously super demanding. This was the only time to try to clean those issues and make sure they can start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way.”
In other words, the decision was not about dropping players or hiding serious injuries — it was about protecting them before the schedule becomes even more intense.
The Challenge of a Brutal Schedule
Arsenal’s campaign this season has required careful squad management.
The club is competing at the highest level across multiple fronts, including:
The Premier League title race
The FA Cup
European competition
Balancing those demands requires constant decisions about fitness, rotation, and recovery.
Arteta has repeatedly emphasized that long-term squad health must take priority over short-term risks, especially when players are dealing with small physical problems that could worsen if ignored.
Resting Rice and Zubimendi against Mansfield was therefore seen internally as a strategic move.
It allowed Arsenal to avoid turning minor issues into major injuries.
Rice’s Importance to Arsenal
Declan Rice has become one of the most influential players at the Emirates since joining the club.
His presence in midfield brings:
Defensive stability
Leadership
Tactical intelligence
Physical dominance
Rice often covers enormous ground during matches, acting as the engine of Arteta’s midfield system.
Allowing him time to recover, particularly during a lower-profile cup fixture, could prove critical as Arsenal approaches a stretch of high-stakes matches.
Zubimendi’s Growing Role
Meanwhile, Martin Zubimendi has increasingly become an important part of the squad’s midfield rotation.
His technical ability and positional awareness make him a valuable option when Arsenal needs control in possession.
With several big games approaching, ensuring Zubimendi is fully fit could be essential for Arteta’s tactical flexibility.
A Calculated Risk That Paid Off
Resting two key midfielders could have backfired if Arsenal had struggled against Mansfield.
Cup competitions are famous for unexpected upsets, and many top teams have learned that lesson the hard way.
But Arsenal’s narrow victory suggests Arteta’s gamble paid off.
The team advanced in the competition while protecting two players who could be crucial in the weeks ahead.
Fans Now Looking Ahead
For supporters, Arteta’s explanation brought a sense of relief.
Instead of worrying about serious injuries, the focus can now return to Arsenal’s upcoming challenges.
The club faces a demanding run of matches before the international break — a period that could define their season across several competitions.
If Rice and Zubimendi return fully fit, Arsenal will be far better equipped to maintain their momentum.
The Bigger Picture
Arteta’s decision highlights the modern reality of elite football.
Today’s top clubs must manage:
Intense fixture schedules
Player fatigue
Injury prevention
Squad rotation
Sometimes, that means making unpopular or confusing decisions in the short term to protect long-term success.
Against Mansfield, Arsenal showed that even without two key midfielders, they still had enough quality to get the job done.
And if Arteta’s strategy works, the Gunners could soon benefit from having a fresher, healthier midfield ready for the biggest matches ahead.
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