Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac needs to push Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal is Arsenal’s unquestioned starter at left-back. But for the future of the team and the development of the position, Sead Kolasinac needs to push him hard.

When Arsenal signed Sead Kolasinac, it was assumed that he would enter the squad as the first-choice left-back. Having excelled at the position for several seasons at Schalke, including being named in the Bundesliga team of the season in his final year, and arriving at the beginning of his prime — he turned 24 the summer that he signed on a free –, such thinking was extremely logical.

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While Nacho Monreal had performed admirably in the role, showcasing the wealth of his experience, the breadth of his intelligence, and the calming, composing influence that he had on those around him, age began to catch up with him.

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The speedier iteration of the modern-day winger caused him problems, with his waning athleticism, absent short-area quickness, and declining explosive speed growing increasingly evident. Even those less skilled attackers that had the natural dynamism were troubling the Spaniard. Armand Traore, of Middlesbrough, for instance, was a particular handful. It seemed as if the time to move on had come. And so, in came Kolasinac.

Or so we thought. The barnstorming, bulldozing Bosnian started life wonderfully in North London, endearing himself to the fans with his bullish, almost reckless style as he bombarded his way up and down the left flank from left wing-back. But as Arsene Wenger shifted to a back-four-based system, concerns were raised about Kolasinac’s defensive discipline and awareness, questioning whether he had the game intelligence to play as a more traditional left back, even though that was exactly what he did at Schalke.

As a result, Monreal, who had been considered a centre-half in the 3-4-3, re-established himself as the starting man, demoting Kolasinac to the bench and, at times, behind Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who Wenger also trusted because of his apparent greater defensive security. And so Monreal’s starting era continued, even after recovering from an ankle injury, culminating in his starting in the 3-0 win over FK Ostersunds on Thursday night.

It is clear, then, that Kolasinac, at best, is second-choice. It is quite difficult to see why, with his performances being consistent and reliable. But, for whatever reason, Wenger has his doubts. Kolasinac must live with that. But he must not settle for it. He must work to force Wenger’s hand, both for his sake and the team’s.

If Monreal is allowed to feel comfortable in his position, then he may slip into a slump of mediocrity. We have seen it many times with other players. When they do not feel pressured to perform by possible replacements in the squad, they grow comfortable and complacent, leading to a drop in performance levels.

Moreover, Monreal will be 32 by season’s end. A succession plan needs to be put in place. Maitland-Niles is a midfielder. Both and he and Wenger have said as much on multiple occasions. Kolasinac is the only other internal solution. He must keep pushing to prove that no external one is required.

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It is easy for disappointment and apathy to seep in. Signed seemingly as the starter and blossoming early on, Kolasinac has backslidden into little more than a reserve role. But he must not become disheartened. He must keep applying himself, remained committed, and continue to challenge Monreal. Both he and Arsenal need it.