Arsenal: Nacho Monreal a good contract crisis

Nacho Monreal’s contract expires next summer. Usually, Arsenal have done poorly as a result of their contract crises. But this could actually be a good one: it could spur them to properly address the left-back position.

Predominantly, Arsenal have had major issues with their handling of contracts. Under Arsene Wenger, they wanted players to be kept on short contracts as they believed it added a greater element of motivation. But that created a problem: the players that performed well were then difficult to keep at the club.

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There is a raft of high-profile departures that have largely been engineered because of the shortened contracts. The same can be said for players leaving for less than their value or even for nothing. And currently, Aaron Ramsey is in the midst of a contract crisis. He is in the final year of his deal and there has been little movement on a new one being thrashed out soon.

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However, there is one instance in which these dastardly short contracts could actually benefit the Gunners. Like Ramsey, Nacho Monreal is also in the final year of his contract. Unlike Ramsey, Monreal is towards the later years of his prime at 32 and is perhaps beginning to slow down a little, although that is not as big a concern from him as other players given that his game does not revolve around his athleticism and quickness. He can leave for nothing next summer.

And there have been rumours that Barcelona of all teams are interested in bringing Monreal to the Nou Camp as experienced back up for Jordi Alba. If the reports turn out to be true, it is difficult to see how Monreal could say no to such an attractive option. Arsenal, consequently, would be forced into finding a replacement.

That could end up being a major benefit for this team. Monreal is a perfectly fine player who is reliable and consistent but never a member of the truly elite tier of the modern-day full back. Sead Kolasinac, his reserve, has struggled defensively is also short of the standard required to be a title-challenging option.

As such, Unai Emery and his band of transfer men would most probably be forced into finding an external solution to the problem that, if Monreal were to stay, they would not otherwise explore. As long as Monreal is present, left back isn’t really one of the more pressing weaknesses that needs to be seen as a priority. There are plenty of other positions that should be invested in first.

But that does not mean that it could not be improved upon. In the modern game of possession, pressing, counter-pressing and playing out from the back, full backs are becoming some of the most important players on the pitch. And Arsenal don’t have the best.

Perhaps, then, Monreal’s departure, should it come to that, would motivate the club to properly investing in a top-tier left back. If so, the contract crisis, funnily enough, could end up paying dividends.