Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has explained the reason behind awarding Nacho Monreal with a brand new contract extension.
The Spaniard signed a deal on Tuesday to keep him in north London until 2019, with reports that a number of clubs were interested in acquiring his signature at the end of the season.
The likes of Athletico Club and Atletico Madrid were believed to be interested in bringing him in.
However, having signed a deal to keep him at the club for at least the next three seasons, Wenger admitted to Arsenal Player that the defender’s reliability and versatility played key parts in the decision behind keeping him.
Twitter: CONFIRMED: @_nachomonreal has signed a new Arsenal contract extension. Full details: https://t.co/Vf2RzHvy8u https://t.co/n8GvVh8Ezk (@ReadArsenalFC)
He is a very important player at the club because he can play left-back and centre-back.
He has the consistency in his performances that is requested at the top level.
Overall, his attitude has been absolutely fantastic on a daily basis since he arrived here. He’s 100 per cent committed and I think as well he has always improved since he has arrived and has shown that in many big games as well.
He’s calm, focused and dedicated. He’s well-accepted and loved by his partners. He has the modest approach of a player who wants to give his best to the team. Everybody senses that and that’s why I think it’s important for the club to have that stability.
Everyone in the Premier League would say that he has become a very strong player. Arsenal are gifted at the moment, I must say, with two top-class left backs. We have many young players. They need to be surrounded by experienced players, especially at the back.
We now have experience at the back. Nacho is part of that – he’s a good example for the young players and we have a good bunch of young players. We have seen another one with Alex Iwobi the other day, who has shown talent. They need to see how you behave at that level.
Monreal has made appearances in all 22 Premier League games this campaign, starting in 21 of them and is a firm fan favourite amongst supporters, who, having watched him improve into arguably the division’s best left-back, will be delighted to hear the news the Spaniard has extended his stay with the club.
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