“To be able to give that sense of drive and that commitment to the team from the left-back position, that was just amazing," these were the words of Thierry Henry on Sky Sports, after the league cup semi-final. His point was an admirable one, as in another season when Arsenal have seen uncertainty and discontent, covered up by moments of sheer beauty, few have been consistent. It sounds strange to say that in a team that is defensively weak and also contains the likes of Mesut Ozil, that Nacho Monreal is potentially the player of the season so far.
Arsenal have conceded 35 goals already this season which is the joint worse in the top eight. This has been caused by many different variables, injuries, lack of depth, individual errors, a goalkeeper who is arguably past his best but crucially a lack of continuity with the formation. Arsene Wenger has used a 3-4-3 which included two fullbacks and three center backs, a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1, he has done this mostly to try and fit his attacking players into the first XI as they are plentiful, even more so now. The detriment this has had to the defence has been immeasurable, as even seasoned professionals like Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi have been left at sea, especially when in a back three. The likes of Rob Holding and Calum Chambers have certainly looked lost and now it seems their confidence is lacking.
Monreal has through all of this been determined and impressive in his tasks. Perhaps his adaptability at center back and left back has allowed him to feel at ease in whatever the system as been but he is much more than just a solid defender in a chaotic back line. Despite Wenger always claiming that he is a quiet and reserved individual, the Spaniard this term has been vocal and has done all he can to help those around him. Koscielny has also been leading when and influencing and it is worrying to think where Arsenal would be without these two. Monreal is a testament to hard work but offensively he has also become a threat.
Whether marauding forward from full-back or getting in attacking positions from set pieces he has found a new lease of life this term. He has four goals and two assists which is not at all bad for a defender but even more impressive when you put it into context. If you look at the entirety of the 31-year-olds career he has scored half of his goals this season. The change in him, whether in confidence or the fact that he is picking up the collective responsibility for the goals (as would be seen in a team like Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli) shows how he is growing in the latter part of his career. Throughout his time at Osasuna, Malaga, Arsenal and Spain he has played 286 games, scored eight goals and managed 21 assists. This just goes to show how impressive this season has been and when you saw that he was unlucky not to score against Everton, he has not finished yet.
When Monreal joined Arsenal back in 2012 he was not initially that popular with the fans as he doesn’t look athletic, he seemed nervous, misplaced too many passes and seemed physically weak. Over time he has slowly developed from defensively suspect, to a good stand-in, then as time has gone on he has become a good squad member to an experienced professional. The story of Nacho is one that shows that hard work, character and determination can in the end count as pillars for a good career. He doesn’t seek the limelight, he is (as Wenger said) quiet and he shows a maturity that has seen him develop into a cultured defender.
There may have been some money spent in North London in January and there are names that will no doubt grab the headlines in the coming weeks. There are players who may take Arsenal to the next level soon, but one should not forget Monreal. He has fought when others have cowered, and he has dragged the team to the levels of performances, he is arguably Arsenal’s man of season.
