On January 31st 2013, Nacho Monreal signed for Arsenal on deadline day. A panic buy is what he was made out to be, injuries continued to get the better of Kieran Gibbs and the Gunners had no back up, so Arsene Wenger signed the Spaniard, 26 at the time, from Malaga on a four-year deal for a reported £8.3m.
Disappointing performances from Monreal followed, who was a steady, but unimpressive defender in every aspect – not particularly quick, a decent crosser of the ball, good tackler, but lacking real attacking intent; something a modern day full back prides themselves upon.
Today, however, a fit Kieran Gibbs cannot get a look-in,and Monreal has gone on to become a fan favourite, playing an important part in last season’s FA Cup victory, scoring the first goal in the 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final.
The 29-year-old has become perhaps the most reliable name on the team sheet, and with the competition that Kieran Gibbs provides, the Spaniard has gone from strength-to-strength, making no less than 39 starts last season, to the England internationals 31 , with the majority coming from the bench for the latter.
Now, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Monreal is on the verge of signing a new three-year deal, awarding him for the class he has shown since signing for the Gunners.
With Monreal starting in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham, it appears that Gibbs will not be getting a chance to earn his place back in the team anytime soon.
