Arsenal: Nacho Monreal contract requires specific stipulations

Arsenal’s fullbacks are suddenly a serious problem, and that being the case, Nacho Monreal’s quest for a new contract should carry some very real stipulations.

Arsenal‘s fullbacks were supposed to be a point of strength, given the depth that was there. But two injuries and one inept defense schematic later and the tune has changed completely. Hector Bellerin isn’t getting any better and Nacho Monreal isn’t getting any younger.

This was a fact before the news hit that Monreal is in pursuit of a new contract and, presumably, the club is considering whether or not to give it to him. Monreal is claiming that his body will let him know when it is time to hang it up, and, usually, that holds true.

That said, while I am not opposed to Monreal hanging around, I am opposed to him hanging around without set stipulations accompanying a new deal.

Monreal is on a slow, steady decline. He still has his moments of heroics, there is no stealing that from him. That comes from his nose for goal and his passion for the club. I wouldn’t trade that for the world, as it’s a valuable resource to have when you’re in a pinch.

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But there’s no hiding from Monreal’s ever-declining pace and his inability to keep the majority of wingers he faces under wraps. Again, there are exceptions, but for the most part, he hasn’t been good enough.

Now, maybe I’m being nitpicky here, but while Monreal should certainly be welcomed to stay, he should certainly not be welcomed to start. The Gunners need a serious upgrade on the defense, and it’s not at centerback anymore. These fullbacks need to figure out their defensive deficiencies, because they are clear, present, and hard to deal with.

It’s to the point where I’d rather have two Stephan Lichtsteiners, one at rightback and one at leftback, then the two Spaniards that we have been relying on for the past several years.

Depth is important though, and that’s why Monreal should stay. But I wouldn’t want him staying to interfere with potentially finding a dynamic leftback that could change the fate of the position. Or if Sead Kolasinac could stay healthy. That would be pretty great too.