Zubimendi hoping Arsenal can go all the way in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi has warned Arsenal must be wary of Spanish opposition in the Champions League in their bid to finally land Europe’s biggest prize.
Having booked their place in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal are chasing silverware on four 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 one of five teams to have reached the knockout phase, joined by Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City with Newcastle United to join them if they get past Qarabag in their play-off.
While English sides have dominated the competition so far this term, occupying five of the top eight spots, there has been no Premier League representation in each of the last two Champions League finals with City the only winners across the last four campaigns.
Barcelona were the only Spanish side to automatically 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 first hurdle.
Zubimendi, who left Real Sociedad to join Arsenal last summer in a £60million move has warned however his side ‘cannot count out’ the La Liga giants.
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Barcelona reached the semi-finals last year (Picture: Getty Images)
Speaking to El Larguero on the knockout phase of the Champions League, Zubimendi said: ‘This 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 everyone puts you under pressure, and that the level is very high.
‘You should never count out Spanish teams. Barça reached the semifinals last year, Real Madrid is Real Madrid, and Atlético has more than enough players.
Real Madrid must navigate a play-off first (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t know, the Champions League is different, and anything can happen.’
Arsenal have a huge squad to help them in their bid for silverware but will be without Mikel Merino for an extended period with the midfielder set to undergo foot surgery.
‘He’s in pain. He’s a very professional person who takes care of himself and always thinks about what’s best for the club,’ Zubimendi said.
‘I know he’s the one who’s most hurt, but the damage his injury has done to the club is significant.’
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