Arsenal: What happens next with Nacho Monreal?

Nacho Monreal has been one player who has impressed the most during this season’s fairly poor campaign. The Spaniard has managed to play consistently well throughout the season, even managing to bench new singing Sead Kolasinac. But what should happen next?

When Nacho Monreal arrived at the Emirates in 2013, many were underwhelmed by the Spanish left back. For the first two seasons, his performances were criticized and the player was under scrutiny after a run of unconvincing displays. Fast forward two years, and Monreal is been one of the most consistent, reliable players in the squad.

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The now 32-year-old has been very dependable when called upon, managing to give Kieran Gibbs the flick permanently from that left back position and push him out of the club. The former Malaga man has even been deployed at center-back when the manager was short of central defenders, and performed fairly well in most cases.

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Whilst he is a player many are warming to around the stadium, the versatile defender is ageing, hence the free singing of Bundesliga’s Team of the Season left back, Sead Kolasinac, at the start of the season. Kolasinac was predicted to be the singing of the summer, but with Monreal playing so well, it has been hard for Wenger to give opportunities to the new signing.

The 24-year-old Bosnian, nicknamed ‘the Tank’, has been watching from the sidelines for large parts of the season, being beaten to his position by a free-scoring Monreal. Whilst Kolasinac himself has bagged four goals this season, the Spaniard has topped him by one more, in all competitions. Goals, though, are certainly not the sole reason the former Schalke man wasn’t receiving much game time. Monreal’s good form has kept Kolasinac rooted to the bench, resulting in a dip in the Bosnian’s confidence and form.

So what should happen next season? Do Arsenal persist with Monreal if he continues playing consistently or do they relegate him to second-choice and finally allow Kolasinac to really make that position his?

The competition for left back is good. Players who are able to play on the left have all had at least one very impressive game, including young Ainsley Maitland Niles. Whilst Maitland-Niles would much rather prefer a role in the center of the park moving forward in his career, Kolasinac, he still will offer an alternative option to both that Wenger could explore.

There has also been a crazy rumor thrown around of wanting current Manchester United player, Luke Shaw. Shaw was tipped to be the best defender in the league by many, but injuries and falling out with managers have halted the youngster’s career. If Shaw was to arrive at Arsenal, would that spell the end of the Monreal’s Arsenal career?

It would make sense to bring Shaw to North London considering Monreal’s age, and with that ever-increasing age comes declining of pace and agility, a trait that is required for the wide defensive role. But Monreal seems to be the type who is able to perform up until his mid to late 30’s, and if that is the case, would it be a waste to bring in Shaw or any other left back for that matter?

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I do see Kolasinac taking the left back position permanently, but I definitely don’t see the Spanish International handing over the reigns without a fight and leaving the club anytime soon. It will be fascinating to see how this all plays out.

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