Martin Zubimendi has revealed the exact words Mikel Arteta told him in the immediate aftermath of the costly error that led to Manchester United’s opening goal against Arsenal today, and the midfielder’s account offers a fascinating insight into the manager’s mindset, the culture inside the dressing room, and the trust Arteta places in his players even in the most intense moments.
The incident came early in a fiercely contested clash, with Arsenal looking to assert control in midfield when Zubimendi, attempting to play out from the back under pressure, misjudged a pass that was quickly pounced on by Manchester United. Within seconds, the ball was in the back of the net, silencing the Emirates and handing United an early advantage. Cameras immediately cut to Zubimendi, hands on his head, visibly frustrated and aware of the magnitude of the mistake on such a big stage.
Speaking after the match, Zubimendi admitted that the moment could easily have shaken him, especially given the atmosphere and the importance of the fixture. However, he revealed that Arteta’s reaction was the complete opposite of what many might expect after such an error. According to the midfielder, the Arsenal manager caught his eye almost instantly and delivered a calm but powerful message from the touchline.
“He told me to keep playing, to be brave, and to not hide,” Zubimendi said. “He said the mistake changes nothing about what he expects from me. He wanted me on the ball again straight away.”
Zubimendi explained that Arteta later expanded on that message during a brief pause in play, reinforcing the idea that Arsenal’s style is built on courage and responsibility rather than fear of failure. The Spaniard made it clear that the worst response to a mistake would be to start playing safe, avoiding the ball, or abandoning the team’s principles.
“He said, ‘If you stop asking for the ball now, then we all lose. If you keep playing our way, we can still win this game,’” Zubimendi revealed. “That gave me a lot of confidence.”
The midfielder’s comments underline a defining feature of Arteta’s Arsenal: a refusal to panic or point fingers, even when things go wrong on the biggest occasions. Zubimendi admitted he was expecting a furious reaction, especially against a rival like Manchester United, but instead received reassurance and clarity.
“It surprised me, to be honest,” he said. “But it also showed me why this team is where it is. The manager doesn’t change his belief because of one moment.”
After the error, Zubimendi grew back into the game, demanding possession, breaking up United attacks, and helping Arsenal regain control in midfield. His willingness to keep taking risks became noticeable, and fans inside the stadium responded with applause each time he showed for the ball, a sign that the message from the manager had filtered through to the stands as well.
Arteta, speaking separately, refused to single out the mistake as a turning point, instead framing it as part of football at the highest level. He praised Zubimendi’s response, pointing out that elite midfielders are defined not by the absence of errors, but by how they react to them.
For Zubimendi, the episode may ultimately prove to be a defining moment in his Arsenal career. Rather than damaging his confidence, the error and Arteta’s response to it appear to have strengthened the bond between player and coach. The midfielder was clear that the manager’s words stayed with him for the rest of the match.
“When your coach trusts you like that, especially after something like that, you feel a responsibility to give even more,” he said. “I just wanted to respond in the right way, for him and for the team.”
In a game full of intensity, pressure, and fine margins, Zubimendi’s revelation offers a glimpse into what happens beyond the goals and mistakes. It highlights a philosophy that prioritizes belief, composure, and collective responsibility, even when the spotlight is harshest. And for Arsenal, it may well be that this calm reaction to a costly error says as much about their progress under Arteta as any result on the pitch.
