Nacho Monreal says that the idea of Arsenal without Arsene Wenger is a complicated one, but insists that the manager still has the full support of the players.
The Gunners are currently on their worst ever run under the Frenchman, with just one win in five Premier League games, as pressure is mounting as stories of his desire to sign a new deal emerge.
The left-back is currently on international duty with Spain, and spoke to Radio Marca about what’s going on at the club right now.
“An Arsenal without Wenger – it’s complicated, isn’t it?,” he said.
“It’s complicated to imagine it, because he’s been the manager for more than 20 years, and the truth is I can’t imagine it, but only time will tell.
“At the end of the day, he’s someone who’s been at the club for 20 years. He’s the boss. He holds the most weight in the dressing room, at board level, and he controls pretty much everything, but he’s very approachable.
“He’s someone who speaks with the players, asks about everyone’s situations. He always has positive things to say, and he likes to have a controlled dressing room, and a good atmosphere. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Some interesting quotes there, in terms of how the manager’s influence at the club is perceived amongst the players.
As for what happens between now and the end of the season, the 31 year old continued, “We’ll give everything until the end. If he decides to renew, then of course we’ll be behind him, we trust him.”
Nacho Monreal the only player who bothered to get play restarted after that third goal. Arsenal completely deflated. pic.twitter.com/M9IDyON5tN
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 18, 2017
Read today’s Arseblog: Arsenal a long way from caviar as the sausage party continues
Quotes via: Sport Witness
I love this guy. Will never forget when we got the penalty against us and he went full Platoon as blogs described it. Top player.
My concern is that all players come out in full support of their manager, yet they show the opposite on the pitch where they behave like they don’t give a s**t…Something is off…
I think a big part of the problem on the pitch is that the midfield is just not good enough.
Yup, i have commented many times. The midfield is weak defensively. That is the main reason Arsenal kept leaking cheap goals.
It wouldn’t be so noticeable if the defence was even half organised. The fullbacks play as if we had 3 at the back and Mustafi is in very poor form.
Many people thought midfield was going to be fine this year from signing Xhaka was the answer and that Ramsey would finally regain his form from a few years back. Neither has really panned out, an injury to Santi and here we area
I do love nachos.
If Wenger really controls everything even the boards, what if he was the one who tell them to give him a new contract? Mind blowing.
There is nothing complicated.A manager is judged on results. Repeated losses aint tolerated.
In this respect,Wenger has been very fortunate. At any other top club,he would have been fired years ago.
No person is bigger than the club. He shd not be allowed to decide when he leaves.
Arsenal shd decide when to fire him. I believe further losses aint going to be tolerated anymore
by the b
Out of interest, what is your definition of a “top club”?
Don’t take ‘complicated’ so literally. For obvious reasons.
We aren’t any other top club. As in our circumstances with the manager, board, owner is rather unique. Wenger being so integral in the formation of this new global Arsenal is the issue. He’s rooted so deeply now, i don’t think anyone on the board has balls to go against him. I love the man and I’ve always wanted him to enjoy the fruits of his hardwork which is getting arsenal to this very profitable point. Now with a few years of enjoying a substantial transfer budget, Wenger hasn’t been able to replicate a team that plays anything like his… Read more »
Yeah when, at my work, there was talk of possible management reshuffling we all just stopped working until it got sorted. It was literally too complicated to work. Played solitaire for 3 weeks.
The entire problem in a nutshell.
It’s complicated to imagine Arsenal without Wenger, but you know what? Our players are imagining it.
You know I what I take from those comments – That Wenger is too nice to them, comes across as ‘we have it easy and don’t want to upset that’, where’s the bollockings, the aggression, the fight?? it comers across on the pitch, bunch of softies, and I blame Wenger for that
Always heard that is not the case privately. Puts on a good, positive public display for them but isn’t afraid to light them up behind the scenes
Love Nacho and the goofy way he runs …
I remember once upon a time when Arsenal sold talent, then nurtured talent, then couldn’t keep talent from staying due to new player power and big money offers from nouveau rich clubs and European giant clubs… Then becoming a small giant themselves and we’re able to retain talent then….bring in talent…. Then! The point is Arsenal are just evolving and Wenger is just a human being. Can’t be perfect and please everyone! But in reality Arsenal are not going down but up! Recent events don’t reflect the achievements of the club, so much hate. COYG! Don’t lose faith now.
Watchootalkinbout willis
Your mama dunce!
Jesus fucking Christ that gif. Talking about Arsenal after the West Brom game feels like doing a post-mortem. There’s no life left in the club. The football’s not fun. The corporates up top could care less what king of global event content appreciates their fat assets, the manager’s peachy as long as he can keep managing, because when the ride’s over, there’s just death, the players just punch their fucking ticket and go home when the man says. If it’s not fun for them, it can’t be for us. And anyway, the event content is supposed to be global, iconic,… Read more »
I’ve got a feeling that the bust up involving Sanchez was BIG!!! The ‘seniors’ seem to be supporting Wenger but some players, noticeably ozil are conspicuously quiet. If Wenger were to retire right now it would be under a massive cloud and I think, whatever he decides, he’d want to avoid leaving that as his legacy. Maybe it’s too late though.
It’s pure speculation. But I’m sure Ozil and Alexis would have rejected a contract if this was the case.
All the best for your game, Nacho!!
It is simple : 1) We need to focus on our form right now and turn things around. Midfield balance is key. We may now have to play with Ospina who is suspect at crosses so the defense will come under even greater scrutiny. We will also have to rediscover a bit more gumption and faith in ourselves. If not the season will truly be a disaster and can get worse. 2) Where Wenger finishes in the league will dictate his ability to continue next season. I don’t think he will extend any longer than to transition a hand over.… Read more »
I do agree mostly.
Just one thing has bugged me, have the board and wenger not discussed a transition plan in the last 3 years ? Even before this current contract, Wenger last day as manager is growing ever so close.
They might have a plan but from the outside looking in, everything is so reactive and slow. Contracts, transfers, transfer targets, player management, reaction to the current protest etc We’re got a decent team on the administration side of things dont we?
With regard Monreal, I think his position is up for review at end of season. Its not the Monreal has been poor if anything he is the better of the two Lbacks. But he is an aging asset exposed by pace where Gibbs has bags of pace but makes poorer decisions and lacks guile. I don’t think we necessarily have to replace either of (my choice would be Gibbs) but this will have to be a possibility if there is a suitable (low priced) candidate to bridge until we can better assess Bramall who should be fast tracked out on… Read more »
No matter his impact at board level, dressing room, or whatever, Wenger’s time is far over. It’s not about sentiments, it’s about the future of the club.
His tactics are far outdated. There are many other coaches out there who could give you all that attention and still do their job very well. We need results that’ll bring trophies & not emotions.
I don’t know what other people’s view on this is but as a player in a team that can see it is not working, I think I might be interested in seeing what happens to Arsenal once he leaves. An cursory glance at future prospects with Wenger would reveal ground hog season at least two more times, why not something else, then, as this is not really good enough. Is it worth it being in the champions league to be the laughing stock of it come every March? I’m not so sure, not least when our Premier League form would… Read more »