Rice and Zubimendi are one of the key partnerships in the Arsenal team.
The pair run the midfield and their importance has risen with captain Martin Odegaard’s injury issues this season.
Both midfielders were given a rare rest in the win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round but with crunch games coming thick and fast, their availability is going to be key.
They provide a solid base in front of the Arsenal back four and Rice’s running power and ability to be effective at both ends of the pitch were on show again during the win over Leverkusen.
“He was immense,” Arteta said. “Him and the whole team. I just mentioned that, the soul of the team.
“The manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show in every action is remarkable. And doing it every three days at that level is so difficult.”
That sentiment was matched by former Arsenal defender Matt Upson speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I don’t think Declan Rice gets much of a break, he features in nearly every game and keeps churning out the performance. It’s pretty remarkable stuff, physically, he’s an absolute machine,” said Upson.
Arteta’s side are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and through to the same stage of the FA Cup.
Arsenal have not won a trophy for six years and have a chance to end that drought against Manchester City on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
“We need to be up for it. We have the momentum at the minute,” added Rice.
“Every time we play, we have the momentum and feel like we can win. When we go to Wembley, everyone will be behind us and we’ll be ready.
“There’s no time to think about what’s going on, we just keep playing matches. The more you keep winning, the more the energy stays high and you enjoy it.”
