Arsenal and Nacho Monreal: Wait until after North London Derby

Arsenal are reportedly set to sell Nacho Monreal before the European window closes this August. However, surely it makes sense to wait until after the North London Derby.

While the English transfer window shut over two weeks ago, before the start of the new season, the European one — and the lower English divisions below the Championship — is still open. So, Arsenal might not be able to sign any new players until the January window rolls around halfway through the campaign, but they can certainly still make sales.

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One player that they are reportedly close to letting go is left-back Nacho Monreal. The 33-year-old has been the starting left-back ever since he beat out Kieran Gibbs and has been an integral piece of the squad throughout his six-and-a-half years at the club. However, this summer, it seems as though his time is set to come to an end.

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Earlier in the window, Arsenal signed 22-year-old left-back Kieran Tierney in a £25 million deal. The Celtic defender will be the long-term starting option at the position, once he returns from injury in mid-October. With Sead Kolasinac also present and capable of backing up the Scottish defender, despite his obvious defensive flaws, the need for Monreal is somewhat quashed.

And so, with a year remaining on his current deal and Unai Emery looking to raise at least some transfer funds for future investment, as well as loosening the wage budget a little by offloading one of the higher earners, Monreal has become expendable, his departure to Spanish side Real Sociedad now widely expected.

However, although there are many convincing reasons why Arsenal are justifiably looking to sell Monreal, from his age, his lack of usage, and the fact that this is the last chance they will recoup any money for him, the timing of his departure, which is reported to be this week, is a little curious, to say the least.

The North London Derby is this Sunday. The European window does not shut until Monday. With Tierney still out injured and Emery, so far this season, preferring Monreal to Kolasinac in the left-back spot, would it not make sense to delay the transfer until deadline day, ensuring that Monreal can play in the North London Derby before he is moved on?

It may seem a little odd to want to keep a player you want to sell just so that he can play one more game, but Monreal has performed admirably in his three starts this year and would be serviceable in one of the biggest, most influential matches of the season?

Perhaps Emery is keen to use Kolasinac, knowing that he will have to at other points in the season. Perhaps Real Sociedad want the deal done as swiftly as possible and are not willing to wait until deadline day. But the timing of this exit seems odd and, if not managed correctly, could come to bite Arsenal back.