Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has agreed to a three-year contract extension to remain in north London, according to The Daily Mail.
Monreal, now 29, has previously been linked with a return to Spain, as Athletic Bilbao were heavily rumoured to be interested in the defender during the summer transfer window.
Although England international Kieran Gibbs has been manager Arsene Wenger’s preferred first choice left back, Monreal has so far played every minute of the current Premier League campaign. A
n occasional Spain international, Monreal has been outstanding over the first two months of the 2015-16 season for the Gunners. Along with midfielder Francis Coquelin, the Spaniard is arguably the Gunners’ most consistent player in the club this season.
With Monreal being implemented in the starting XI, the Emirates club have recorded four clean sheets over their last six league matches. Arsenal have also only given up seven total goals in eight Premier League matches during the start of the current campaign (tied for fewest in the league), including only allowing four goals over the last six BPL games.
While the club’s defence as a whole has been top-notch during league play this season, Monreal’s high level of play in recent months is being rewarded by the new contract.
Along with right back Hector Bellerin, another Spaniard, the Gunners may now have the preeminent full back pair in the Premier League. Though the duo’s style may be polarizing, as Monreal relies on impeccable technique and the speedy Bellerin utilises his pace and offensive abilities, both are certainly playing at an extremely high level at the moment.
Monreal joined the Gunners in during the January transfer period of 2013 as a replacement for Brazilian Andre Santos. As bad as the Santos experiment was during his 18 months at the club, Monreal has given the Gunners stability and depth at the left back position.
Even with he was mostly utilized as Gibbs’ backup, the Spaniard provided Arsenal with a solid number two option at the position. Monreal has also previously filled in at centre-back with some success.
Gunner fans should be happy with news of a potential agreement in place for Monreal to stay with the club. With the current crop of defenders remaining in north London, Arsenal now has one of the best back four in England, something that the club has formerly struggled with in recent years.
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