According to a report by London Evening Standard on Monday October 26, 2026, Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to wear a protective face mask against Fleetwood Town after breaking his nose during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.

The Spaniard sustained the injury after a second-half challenge and could feature in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round encounter with additional protection.

According to reports, Zubimendi suffered the injury when he appeared to be caught in the face by Everton striker Thierno Barry while competing for the ball. The 27-year-old required treatment after blood began pouring from his nose.

Despite the incident, the midfielder managed to continue playing until the final whistle. However, he needed tissue inserted into his right nostril to control the bleeding. His broken nose means he will likely require a protective mask if selected for Arsenal’s upcoming fixture.

The match against Fleetwood Town presents an opportunity for Zubimendi to gain valuable playing time. The midfielder has struggled to secure regular minutes this season following increased competition for places in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

He has managed just one start during the current campaign, which came against Ipswich Town in the previous round of the Carabao Cup. His opportunities have diminished following the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Zubimendi also suffered an ankle problem earlier this month during the warm-down following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Leeds United. His recent injury setbacks have further disrupted his attempts to establish himself in the team.

Arsenal are expected to rotate their squad for Tuesday’s trip to Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium. Zubimendi could benefit from that decision if the medical staff consider him fit enough to participate.

Wearing a protective mask would allow the midfielder to return without exposing his nose to unnecessary contact. However, Arsenal will assess his condition and comfort with the equipment before making a final decision on his availability.

The Spanish international will hope to use the cup fixture to impress Arteta and strengthen his chances of securing more regular appearances. His participation will depend on the outcome of the club’s final medical assessments ahead of the encounter.