Arsenal: Did Nacho Monreal get younger or is it just me?

The expiration date on Arsenal’s current fullbacks may be close at hand, but Nacho Monreal is doing his best to defy the odds… and nature, apparently.

I’m one of those people that has been asking Arsenal to upgrade on Nacho Monreal for about three years. It’s not that I don’t like him. Of course I like him. it’s just that consistent 6.0 or 7.0 ratings can be improved upon, and Kieran Tierney likely will improve upon them.

But in the meantime, Monreal is doing some pretty special stuff, as seen primarily against Burnley, where he was again deployed at leftback. Only this time, he looked ten years younger and ready to destroy (or dribble around) anyone that got in the way.

Everyone knows who the shining performances came from. Dani Ceballos was tremendous. He lead the team in nearly every statistical category while giving us fond memories of Santi Cazorla.

And for 45 minutes, Nicolas Pepe was pretty special too, doing the same kinds of stuff, creating, dribbling, innovating, all that fun stuff.

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But you may be surprised to find out that near the top of nearly every statistical category was Nacho Monreal. Created chances, second (3). Dribbles completed, third (2). And the best of all, loss of possession? First (0).

Of course, we have to talk about more than just stats. We have to talk about how much athleticism he showed, and his Sead Kolasinac-esque ability to turn the corner on the left side and round in towards the opposing goal box. Or in his ability to beat the opposing fullback to the corner and either end in a cross or cut it back.

Monreal did all the attacking things I’m used to seeing Kolasinac do. He did all the defensive things that, well, Monreal typically does.

It was one hell of a performance for the aging veteran, especially with Kolasinac back in the mix and Tierney set to return from injury soon. It’s amazing what a little prodding will do to someone, even someone who we may have thought was over the hill a bit. This wasn’t just a 6.0 or a 7.0, this was an 8.0 (or at least really close to it).

In the longterm, it doesn’t mean much, but in the short term, it means a lot. It means that our depth may be a bit deeper than we thought. I, for one, had counted out Monreal by July, but lo and behold, I may have been wrong to do so.