Arsenal: Nacho Monreal departure risky, not calamitous

Arsenal selling experienced defender Nacho Monreal before the European window slams shut would be risky, but it would not be calamitous.

Nacho Monreal has been linked with a return to Spain in recent days, with Real Sociedad said to be interested. Following the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, Unai Emery confirmed that the Spaniard could leave before the closure of the European transfer deadline. While his departure would leave Arsenal temporarily thin at left-back, it would continue the ruthless trend that was evident throughout the club’s summer dealings.

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Monreal has been an incredibly underappreciated and consistent performer since arriving on deadline day in January 2013. Since then, he has made over 250 appearances for the club. However, with his contract expiring next summer, it makes sense for Arsenal to capitalise on whatever value he has left, as any transfer fee would help to improve the squad in future transfer windows. At 33 years of age, Monreal lacks long-term value. The club signed Kieran Tierney in the hope that he will be a stalwart for the next decade, and Sead Kolasinac can serve as Tierney’s deputy.

If Arsenal were to sell Monreal, the smart thing to do would be to wait until after the North London Derby on September 1st. Scottish clubs, England’s Leagues One and Two and Europe’s top leagues all have a September 2nd deadline. The La Liga window will close at 11:59 p.m. Central European Time (CET). Because of the subsequent international break, Arsenal will not play again until they travel to Watford on September 15th. They then host Aston Villa before heading to Old Trafford at the end of the month. The first Europa League matchday separates those two Premier League fixtures.

In their most recent injury update, Arsenal said that Tierney, who is recovering from a long-term groin injury , is ‘aiming to participate in full training in October.’ A Monreal departure would mean that Emery would have to manage the left-back position carefully for a few weeks and that Kolasinac would start until Tierney regains match fitness. Kolasinac’s qualities are evident. He bombs down the left flank and provides Arsenal with a dangerous outlet. However, his flaws are equally as evident. His final ball is often lacking and he is not the best defender.

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Hector Bellerín is also scheduled to return to full training in October. If the Spaniard returns before Tierney, Ainsley Maitland-Niles could deputize at left-back if necessary. While there are numerous promising players currently coming through the academy, full-back is a position which is lacking within the setup, especially since Dominic Thompson was sold to Brentford in a deal that could rise to £4m.

Zak Swanson and Tolaji Bola have started all three U23 games at full-back so far this season and could be promoted in the worst-case scenario. There are doubts about their readiness, but there are times when young players must simply be thrown into the fire.

Harry Clarke, Zech Medley, and Tobi Omole are also capable of playing at a full-back position, but the trio are much more comfortable playing at the heart of the defence. One player to keep an eye if Monreal is sold is 17-year-old left-back Joel López, who joined from Barcelona in 2018. He signed his first professional contract earlier this year and will hope to become the latest product of the esteemed La Masia academy to make his mark at Arsenal Football Club.

I am a great admirer of Monreal. He has been a reliable servant for Arsenal Football Club. However, as I have said before, this ruthlessness has been needed for some time. As such, I would not be opposed to a departure.