Numerous Arsenal fans have labelled Nacho Monreal as the club’s most underrated signing of the decade.
The 33-year-old arrived at the Emirates in 2013 from Malaga in a deal worth £8.5m and went on to make over 250 appearances for the Gunners.
Monreal, who joined Real Sociedad over the summer, won three FA Cups and three Community Shields during his time in North London.
And when well-known Arsenal fan @PatrickTimmons1 asked his followers for their player, game, goal, biggest disappointment, best memory and most underrated signing of the decade, it was the left-back’s name that popped up regularly for the latter.
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Arsenal
Player: Alexis
Game: Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Goal of Decade: Giroud vs Palace
Biggest Dissap… https://t.co/IGUWGgtExb (@ItsAStanWorld)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Alexis
Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
Ramsey half volley vs Galatasaray
Wenger losing 6-0 on his 1000th game
FA Cup 2014
Monreal (@post2ankan)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Player: Ramsey
Game: FA Cup Final over Chelsea 2017
Goal: Wilshere vs. Norwich
Disappointment: Bl… https://t.co/RdNeXe8ggI (@Only_One_Field)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Player of the decade: Sanchez
Game of the decade: Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Goal of the decade: Wilshe… https://t.co/pQFWM2B6WS (@throwaway2581)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 •Player of the decade : Alexis Sanchez
•Game of the decade: Arsenal 2 barcelona 1
•Goal of the dec… https://t.co/uyJl9kWKux (@sunmark_14)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Player: Özil
Game: 2-1 vs Barca (h) February 2011
Goal: Giroud vs Crystal Palace (h) January 2017… https://t.co/bdhbsSe6u9 (@MikkitArian)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 •Cazorla/Özil
•FA cup final against Chelsea
• Ramsey in FA cup final/ Welbz vs Leicester
. Wenge… https://t.co/9YSil9PPNV (@Classy_Arsenal)
Twitter: @PatrickTimmons1 Player of the decade. Ramsey or Alexis
Game of the decade. 14 FA Cup
Goal of the decade. Giroud s… https://t.co/EC15hDbEHK (@neilfrancisco)
Read Arsenal verdict
The Gunners have picked up several shrewd additions over the past 10 years, but Monreal’s was definitely one of the best.
A favourite both on and off the pitch, the Spaniard always gave his all for the club and his departure left many supporters disappointed.
He’s gone on to prove that he can still ply his trade at the top level, and with Sead Kolasinac’s poor form, the Gunners could have been better off keeping hold of the defender over the Bosnian.
