Nacho Monreal has been one of the better Arsenal players so far this season, after the Spanish international was called to fill in for the injured Kieran Gibbs. And the left back believes that the more he plays for the Gunners, the better he performs.
Not only that, but he believes that the whole Arsenal team have now recovered from their World Cup exploits with their various national sides and are just about ready to really push on now. As he told Arsenal Player, Monreal is very confident and upbeat about this season, after a pretty good previous year which was only ruined by injury but did see the Gunners end that pesky trophy drought.
And it is not just having the likes of Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski back to match fitness and the squad sharpening up that excites the 28-year old, because he thinks that the Gunners have done some really good business in the summer transfer window, with his new full back colleague Mathieu Debuchy and the attacking talents of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck. It is young Calum Chambers, however, that gets a special mention as he has really surprised the Spaniard with his ability and maturity.
Monreal said, “Calum has been a good surprise for me because I didn’t meet him too much and also he’s younger. He’s played like he’s played for a long time in the Premier League. He’s a good player and an important player for us now and in the future because he’s younger.
“I think we need a little bit more time because last summer a lot of players were playing in the World Cup and they came back late. We have signed four or five new players so maybe we need a little bit more time for the players to feel better and their fitness can feel better. I think in the next weeks the team will play better.
“I think Arsenal has done a good job [in the transfer window] because now we have five or six new players who have a very good level. I’m happy with the club and Alexis, Ospina, Calum… we have a lot of hopes for them so I’m happy with the team.
“I feel very good and I feel so happy because I am here and playing very well. I only want to keep doing the same.
“I am playing better [this season]. One difference is that now I am playing [regularly]. Last season I didn’t play enough and I want to play every single game.
“For me it’s difficult to play one game and then stay on the bench for the next four or five games. When you play every single game you feel much better, you are fitter, your focus is much better. And now I am playing so I am very happy.”
With Chambers, Bellerin and Gibbs, Arsenal do seem to be pretty well covered in defensive areas this season, so do you think that a more injury free Arsenal will be able to take the title this season?