
Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi has avoided suspension for the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid after his Player of the Match performance against Sporting CP.
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Arsenal star avoids suspension for Atletico clash
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Martin Zubimendi appeared to be back to his best on Wednesday, winning the Player of the Match award as Arsenal edged past Sporting CP to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
But Zubimendiâs performance was particularly impressive because he was playing the game on a tightrope, knowing a yellow card would see him picking up a suspension for Arsenalâs Champions League semi-final first leg match against Atletico Madrid.
Having avoided a booking, Zubimendi will now be available, and heâs no longer at risk of a yellow-card ban in any Champions League game this season.
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Thatâs because yellow cards are effectively wiped after the quarter-finals, so even if Zubimendi is booked in the first leg of the semis, he wonât miss the second leg.
Similarly, if Arsenal make the final, it wonât matter if Zubimendi picks up yellow cards in both legs of the semis, he still wonât be suspended.
Zubimendi wasnât the only Arsenal player at risk of suspension, as Christian Norgaard was also one yellow away from a ban. But Norgaardâs job of avoiding a booking was significantly easier, given he didnât feature in Wednesdayâs match.
Martin Zubimendi avoided suspension due to his outstanding performance, earning him the Player of the Match title against Sporting CP.
Zubimendi's availability strengthens Arsenal's lineup, enhancing their chances in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
The Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid is scheduled for an upcoming date, specific details are yet to be confirmed.

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Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino all served yellow-card suspensions earlier in the tournament, with Zubimendi absent against Slavia Praha and both Rice and Merino missing the final League Phase game against Kairat Almaty.
But Arsenal have avoided any suspensions in the knockout stages so far, and itâs now only possible for their players to receive red-card bans, not yellow-card bans.