Arsenal: This is the Nacho Monreal we all know

Forget the incident in the tunnel prior to Arsenal’s victory against Manchester United, Nacho Monreal’s recent on-field play deserves more recognition.

Nacho Monreal has been the epitome of stability for Arsenal over the last couple of seasons. Originally signed as a challenger for the oft-injured Kieran Gibbs, Monreal soon made the left-back position his own. He didn’t look back until this season.

The Spanish international has had an uncharacteristically inconsistent campaign until this point, with the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City and the shocking 3-0 defeat to Palace notably poor games for the Spanish international.

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It led to rampant speculation regarding the future of the left-back position at Arsenal. Sead Kolasinac was heavily linked with a move to North London, and it was even thought that the Bosnian’s arrival would lead both Monreal and Gibbs towards the exit door. However, in the 3-4-3 formation, Monreal has quietly rediscovered some form. Gibbs has been the one usually deployed at left wing-back whilst Monreal has shifted into the back three.

Granted, Monreal hasn’t set the world alight. Then again, neither has anyone else in the squad – save Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But he has been better since the tactical change, and there is now a slim hope of finishing this awful Premier League season with a coveted top-four finish.

The physical demands of the wing-back position are more suited to Gibbs, as Monreal was never an Olympic athlete down the left flank. His greatest attribute is his football brain, his ability to read the game and be two steps ahead. Since making the move to centre-back, Monreal has returned to being his solid self, and the importance of that cannot be underestimated.

I cannot help but compare him to Cesar Azpilicueta, who has thrived as a centre-back for Chelsea. There is no doubt that Azpilicueta is the superior player, but the comparison lies in the fact that both men share the same footballing brain that I previously mentioned. Neither have the dominating size or power that many often look for centre-halves, but they make up for their athletic shortcomings with their mental astuteness.

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In a system which is still relatively new, Monreal’s presence in the starting XI is a blessing. His knowledge, consistency, passion and honesty are things that most of the current Arsenal squad lack. That is why I hope his time at the Emirates is far from over.

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