We would have to say that Nacho Monreal is probably Arsenal’s only recognised true left-back, and he has been just as impressive since he was moved to the left side of our back three, while the new boy Saed Kolasinac has become our left wing-back. But although Kolasinac made a great impression in his first few games, it is suddenly Monreal that has been making the marauding runs forward and has been rewarded with 2 goals in his last 3 games for the Gunners.
We are used to seeing Hector Bellerin doing the same thing down the right, but even the young Spaniard has admitted that the 31 year old has been extremely impressive this season, especially after scoring the equalizing goal against Everton last week. “That’s Nacho!” Bellerin said. “I think he’s doing really well this year.
“It’s a bit of a change in position for him, but I think it suits him a lot and now that he’s got all the experience he’s got, he’s started scoring goals. So I’m really happy for him.
“He’s just a very cool guy, not like the normal footballer that people think of. A very good professional who takes care of himself a lot and it shows on the pitch.
“I think every player at the club has to be at that level and has to be able to score, able to assist and play well. It hasn’t been me today, but it will come for sure.”
What I like about the Spaniard is that he just does he job consistently. He is rarely in the papers boasting about his achievements and he never criticizes his team-mates and seems to keep under the radar from the media. This is simply because he rarely has a bad game and just gets on with his job.
Don’t you agree that it is about time his quality got recognised by Arsenal fans?
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I’ve liked him since day one and whilst he did go through a bad patch a while ago I think he is very appreciated by us. He is now one of our most consistent players and perhaps the 3-4-3 line up suits him better.
that bad patch started when iwobi played in front of him and we all know how he loves to defend.
Nacho was good when he arrived but since he played CB a few years ago during our annual injury crisis, he has developed into a better player it made his defending and important his heading much better. attacking wise he was already good.
Just seen the stats last night… Arsenal had 4 offsides against them… all by Walcott..
How can he play for England and be at Arsenal for 10 years and not learn that simple thing… !
I can understand if it was Giroud who needs an extra 10 yards to beat the defender to the ball but the main thing about Theo is his pace… so start higher up the pitch and bring defender with you and give him a 5 yard headstart… he will still beat the guy to the ball over the top!
Goals are what matter in football and tiki-tiki can come after being 1-0 or 2-0 to tire the opposition but our play even then is soooo slow !
Problem with him starting higher up is he won’t be able to get past the opposition player. He doesn’t have any skill
I know Walcot had 4 offsides but then the whole team didn’t particularly played well. But I really think it’s time for Ian Wright to shut the f… up. Keep out of player’s personal business and stop deciding what club they should play for. He is the more reason why Chamberlain decided he needed to move on from Arsenal and now we have seen how better he can play. He is now picking on Walcot! He should just stop!!! These players have families and other responsibilities outside football. How can Chamberlain go for a lesser salary and a worse playing time if not because of unusefull pressure from someone like him! If Walcot leaves Arsenal where is he going to end up? Not every player will become Messi or Ronaldo, how much will he earn outside Arsenal? Ian Wright should please stop calling out the players names and saying they should leave. Everyone can decide their own future.
Anko STFU!! Ian ain’t responsible for Chamberlain’s decision
With all due respect given Ian Wright’s record with Arsenal, as well as being a pundit (ie how he makes his living), he is entitled to make comment on matters Arsenal, particularly regarding forward players.
Lets get off Walcotts back – we are AFC fans and we know he is being sold in January so lets agree he’s a very good player!
Then maybe someone will pay us GBP 40 million…..
I’d happy sell for 25-30M provided we then actually used the money wisely rather than just sitting on it like we seem to always want to do recently. Making a net profit in the last transfer window is totally inexcusable, especially after all the BS about “we’re keeping AW because we’re going to give him all the resources he needs to compete.” Theo is a good guy but hasn’t developed the level of consistent quality and killer instinct that I have been hoping for years he eventually might.
Yeah I was getting frustrated with the offside moves by Walcott. On at least two of them that I distinctly recall, he was actually very close to and looking right toward the defender so there’s really no excuse for going early. Smacks of low concentration and self-control.
I’ve always liked Monreal. He is a very important player to us. He is more consistent than Gibbs was. Personally, I would have preferred us getting another top CB this summer to play with Mustafi and Koscielny (also Mustafi’s injury shows the importance of getting one) but Monreal seems to be coping well in CB left position
Monreal as CBl and Kolsanic as LWB seems to be working well
However, if we ever reverted back to 4 at the back Kolsanic would probably pip Monreal to LB.
I think a few gunners don’t get the respect they deserve like Monreal and Giroud
Kolasinac will not bench Monreal if we should ever use a back 4 again. We’re talking about the most consistent defender in the team for the last 2/3 seasons. I would be baffled if that happen.
I also do not get the hype about Mustafi. He’s not the quality defender we anticipated he’d be. All good defenders stands on their feet observer and jockey the opponent unless there’s a 50-50 challenge but Mustafi slides whenever he feels like and that is why you are able to see the difference between Mustafi, Monreal and Koscielny. If I were to ask which two has been the best among the 3 then it would only be a rhetorical question.
Mustafi learned how to defender from playstation…every time the opponent has the ball he just presses the sliding button and hopes for the best. I find it quite shocking financially negligent that we hoofed out 35M for each of Mustafi and Xhaka.
Monreal has been an excellent buy who goes about his business with minimum fuss and has the consistency which is sadly lacking in the majority of his team mates. He has slotted in well as the left sided defender in a back three and while he lacks the physical stature to command the air he is astute in sniffing out potential danger . One of AWs better acquisitions unlike Debeuchy,Mustafi and Xhaka.
he isnt underrated or overrated.he is what he is.a mediocore player
bullshit you cant have 11 world class in a team, it just wouldnt work ask england golden generation lol. you also need players who work in the background for cohesive team
Not really. I’ve got a poster of him on my wall and even called my kid Nacho
I am always happy when a player gives his best at all times, mistakes can happen but he is very consistent, head down, no controversy and hard working player. His is one of my sister’s best Arsenal player. Great character!!!
Monreal is an honest hardworking professional and underrated at Arsenal, by some, but as can be seen from most comments above, not by all.
If Wenger reverts to a back four, why not retain Monreal at left back and play Kolasinac as a defensive midfielder? He appears to have all the right attributes to make a success of the position.
He had some marginal games during portions of last season. Otherwise he’s always been pretty solid and this year I think he’s been great, with the obvious exception of the comical poor back pass against Everton. He looked really pissed with himself about that, and rightfully so, but the rest of his match was strong.