Not for the first time, Nacho Monreal is being linked with a move back to Spain with Real Sociedad said to be interested (again).
A return to the Basque country has often been mooted over the past couple of years, and with Arsenal now facing a left-back surplus, it might be the right time for him to go back home.
However, despite signing Kieran Tierney for £25m on deadline day, the Scottish international is still some way from full fitness, so the likelihood of any deal going down before we play the first North London derby of the season is slim.
That game takes place on September 1st, and the window closes on September 2nd as we then head into the first Interlull of the season.
The 33 year old – who turns 34 in February but until then remains 33 because that’s how it works – is no stranger to a last minute transfer. His arrival in North London from Malaga in January 2013 took place on deadline day.
It also remains to be seen if Unai Emery is prepared to sell one of his captains, as well as a solid, reliable, experienced defender who can also play in a back three if required.
Perhaps he might choose instead to move on Sead Kolasinac, who would command a reasonable fee, and keep hold of the veteran Spanish international. Whatever happens though, it seems like having three left backs in the squad is one too many, so some kind of outward movement is likely.
Nope, we sell him and we only have 1 LB until Oct (or later) when Tierney is match fit. Maybe let him go in Jan I say.
Exactly, it’s a clear NO from me. He’s currently our number 1 LB and will remain for at least a couple of months. Absolutely no need to destabilise our defence even further at this point in time.
If Tierney recovers, gets match fit and manages to become our number 1 LB before January, then Sociedad can come back for Nacho then. But even in that case I have no problems with keeping Nacho at the club until the end of the season.
And the circumstances coming with selling you one day after the north London derby are not good for the preparation and the concentration. Nonsense.
Seriously and in the first two games he’s been class. Don’t sell either. Monreal gives depth at CB also. No, no, no.
Emery said he can’t decide on the 5 captains till the transfer window closes. Of the 3 Captains, Monreal seems closest to a move – not that I’m recommending it.
Sure, just send Alexander Isak the other way and he’s yours.
Yeah…. nah they’re not doing that
We should be hanging onto Nacho until at least January, if only to see how Tierney beds in and recovers from his lengthy injury spell.
Tierney is just a fiction but our Nacho is a fact.
Noooooooo!
No thanks
He’s been decent last game.
I mentioned he’s good for one more season and we didn’t really need to fill LBack rather should have spent all available resource on Cback.
That said, since we have Tierney now, its most natural he should make way.
But Tierney is not ready yet and it may make more sense to relinquish Monreal in the January window although a deal could be struck now.
The writing is on the wall.
Kola got a new squad number, featured prominently in the adidas campaign and doesn’t seem the kind of guy to let off field issues push him out.
Love Monreal, but a sale is a good conclusion for all parties.
…Unless Arsenal need to flex their muscles after the Kos departure and decide to hold him to contract.
New squad number? Wasn’t he 31 since he signed?
Or maybe sell him on the condition he’s loaned back until January, saliba style!
Lol. Good one bro
Best keep him if we can for another season. He has little transfer value at his age and we need his experience more than the small amount he’d bring in.
i really like nacho. remember that season not too long ago where he scored goals regularly? great man. whatever happens, will always hold him in high esteem.
Keep Nacho, and just sign somebody, anybody, with the surname ‘Ancheez’ or very similar. That is all.
Nacho Sanchez used to combine well on the left
We are being penny wise pounds foolish! It may come back to bite us if kolasinac gets injured and Tierney is not match fit..
We need him for our best future team and he must get aged at Arsenal field not somewhere else please Monreal stay with us
你说什么？In English – say what?
Might be wise as others say, to keep him til Jan. However, we have Kola + Saka who could be developed further on the left as Bellerin was developed, from a right winger to RB. If Nacho wants to leave (maybe he does, we don’t know). Of course, Tierney is here but obviously at least 2 months til he’s fully fit and playing. So a tough call. I’m afraid though that Salah will run around Nacho tomorrow, not due to anything more than Nacho’s age, this is the time players get slower and less agile. If Unai plays Kola on… Read more »
Was sat behind Nacho against Burnley and I swear he didn’t put a foot wrong.
We switched easily to a back 5 when Kola came in cause Nacho was so good as 3rd CB as well.
Disregard his age, he’s still one of our best and experienced defenders.
Unless Emery thinks Saka can play there, and is ready? Then it’d be a big risk.
Surely the maximum we’d get for Monreal is £3-4 million? And missing out on CL costs us tens of millions?
Thank you, but no thank you.
He is experienced, he might lack the pace but he is still an important player for us, he is someone we can count on and barely has put a foot wrong in all his years with us. Also, a player who can play at LB and also cover for CB sound like a need for me. Tierney can play LB once he recovers and Nacho can provide depth.
Tierney and Nacho as LB. Nacho as CB cover. Sead for when we play 3 at the back.
Sell Nacho, Mustafi and El neny , put the cash in the bank, and spend in January 🙂 he is almost 34 , cash in 🙂
Nonsens, we are not going to sell him in this window, but we might offload Elneny and Mustafi….
If we are clearing the decks (Nacho, Mustafi and Elneny), I hope there’s good news on the Tierney front. This is a risk. I see the logic, but I have no faith in Kolasinac.