Arsenal star reacts after teammate questions decision with 'what is going on' claim

Martin Zubimendi has responded to teammateMikel Merinoafter the Arsenalmidfielder congratulated him for scoring a brace during Saturday's 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

Zubimendi, a £55.8million signing from Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window, netted his first and second goals for the Gunners as they swept aside Forest in convincing fashion at the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old Spain international opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side in the 32nd minute, blasting home from the edge of the box after Noni Madueke's corner was only half cleared.

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After Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal 2-0 in front with his third for the club, Zubimendi then found the net for the second time, heading home from Leandro Trossard's clipped cross into the box.

It completed a fine afternoon's work for the Gunners, who moved back up to the top of the Premier League table, having collected nine points from a possible 12 so far. And after the game, Merino took to Instagram to send a message to his Arsenal and Spain teammate Zubimendi.

Merino said: "3 goals and 3 points! Atmosphere was amazing!! [flexed bicep emoji].

"What is going on with our midfielders lately?! Congrats on your brace!! @martin_zubimendi [heart hands emoji]. Flying to Bilbao next. COYG [red love heart emoji]."

Merino seemed shocked that Zubimendi scored twice - and it's not a surprise that the ex-Real Sociedad man shared that opinion. This is because Zubimendi has netted just 16 times in 290 club appearances in his career.

Replying to Merino's post, Zubimendi put a laughing face emoji, a handshake emoji and a red love heart emoji.

Cristhian Mosquera, who started his first game for the Gunners in William Saliba's absence, also commented with the face exhaling emoji.

Zubimendi's first goal was a real moment of magic - something that Arteta praised in his post-match interview. "I take zero credit for that incredible execution, the timing, the way he connects with the ball and the way the ball travels in that trajectory," the Arsenal head coach admitted.

"Certainly, he's given us a lot of positive things, his presence, his authority on the pitch, the way he connects with the players and that composure that he's having.

"If he starts to add assists and goals like this, it's another dimension of a player."

On new players, like Zubimendi, enjoying big moments in an Arsenal shirt, Arteta said: "That's very positive because, as well as some of the players that we decided to take off, when you see the reception and the connection they build with our supporters already.

"That's exactly what you need because that's going to help you, it gives confidence, it gives you more ambition to do better, and they are all in a good place."

Merino, meanwhile, found a real knack of scoring goals himself during the international break, finding the net FOUR times in two matches for Spain. He netted once against Bulgaria before firing a hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of Turkey.