Arsenal: Keeping Nacho Monreal fine, if restricted

A decision must be made regarding the future of Nacho Monreal amid reported interest from Barcelona. Arsenal should keep him, but only in a restricted role.

There has been some discussion regarding the future of Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal this week. A reported target of Barcelona, with his contract allegedly set to expire at the end of the season, football.london quickly and emphatically rejected such a notion stating that the Gunners had already exercised a year-long extension.

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If true, Monreal’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2020. It would be surprising if any team made a move to sign him in 2019, then, knowing that they will have to pay to secure his services.

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As such, it seems as though Monreal is set to stay in north London for another year. That, inevitably, has driven some rather intense debate regarding his value.

Keeping Monreal is a fine move if it comes with certain restrictions. He is an experienced, versatile defender who has looked significantly more comfortable centrally that at his usual left-back position of late. His lessening athleticism and decreasing speed cause him trouble against pacier opponents and his offensive production is dwarfed by that of Sead Kolasinac. As a starting left-back, his days are finished.

However, that does not mean that he is not a useful player to have in the squad. First and foremost, his experience is invaluable in a dressing room that is often criticised for its lacklustre mentality. Monreal is a leader, for better or worse, and losing his off-the-field influence would be detrimental to the team.

More importantly, though, his defensive versatility is exceptionally useful. There are not many players that can play full-back and centre-half with the same success as Monreal. And the fact that he is perfect for the left-sided centre-back role in a back three gives Unai Emery tactical flexibility that other options do not.

If Arsenal are intending on bringing Monreal back on this basis, that he is a reserve player who can fill it at different positions and help nurture younger talents in the background, I am all for his staying. Not everyone can be a starter and depth pieces still have great value.

But he must be restricted to this role. His struggles in one-on-ones, his lack of offensive impact, and his declining physicality and growing injury problems, both of which will only intensify as he enters his 33rd year, all comprise a player who is no longer of the standard of a starting player for a top-four team.

Is he still useful? Yes, absolutely. But only in part.