Nacho Monreal Confirms Talks with Arsenal over New Contract
Gill Clark@@gillclarky
Featured Columnist ISeptember 12, 2018
Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal says he is happy at the Gunners and is in talks with the club over a new contract.
The defender turned 32 in February this year but is hopeful he can continue his career with the club he joined from Malaga in 2013, per James Olley at the Evening Standard.
"At the moment we are talking with the club. I've always said I am really happy, I feel very happy playing for Arsenal. I came six years ago. I have a good relationship with them," he said. "We are in contact in any moment so don't worry about that. I am happy here. That is the most important thing."
Monreal is in the final year of his current deal at Arsenal, which means he can walk away as a free agent next summer if he fails to agree an extension.
La Liga side Real Sociedad are "are among a number of clubs monitoring the defender’s situation," according to Olley.
La Liga champions Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Monreal. Ernesto Valverde's men are keen to bring in a back-up to Jordi Alba having lost Lucas Digne to Everton, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Jack Stewart for MailOnline).
Monreal's comments suggest his preference is to stay at Arsenal. He has been a reliable performer for the Gunners during his time with the club.
He has also popped up with some important goals. Opta's Orbinho highlighted his record:
Monreal was part of Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play a single minute in Russia.
The defender missed Arsenal's opening game of the season against Manchester City due to a knee injury. However, he featured in their three other games with Arsenal short of options at left-back.
Sead Kolasinac is expected to miss the first seven Premier League games of season with a knee problem, per the Press Association (h/t the Guardian). Ainsley Maitland-Niles has suffered a small leg fracture and is not expected back until October, per Goal's Robin Bairner.
Arsenal have looked shaky defensively in the early weeks of the season and have conceded eight goals in their first four games. Only Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Burnley and West Ham United have let in more.
Monreal is heading towards the end of his career but remains the club's first choice at left-back, and it would make sense for Arsenal to offer him a new short-term deal.