{"id":513634,"date":"2019-08-31T07:01:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T11:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=513634"},"modified":"2019-08-31T07:01:16","modified_gmt":"2019-08-31T11:01:16","slug":"nacho-monreal-departs-arsenal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/08\/31\/nacho-monreal-departs-arsenal\/","title":{"rendered":"Nacho Monreal Departs Arsenal for Real Sociedad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nacho Monreal<\/a> has left Arsenal<\/a> to sign for Real Sociedad in his native Spain. Despite being ever-present for the Gunners over the course of the past few seasons, the arrival of Kieran Tierney<\/a> means he would see opportunities wane at the Emirates.<\/p>\n

The player’s contract will go for two years with a club option of a third and the move is set to cost \u00a33 million.<\/p>\n

Nacho Monreal Signs for Real Sociedad<\/h2>\n

Faithful Servant<\/h3>\n

Monreal joined Arsenal in January 2013 from Malaga for \u00a38.5 million. At the time, he was seen as competition for Kieran Gibbs<\/a> following the flop of Andre Santos<\/a>. After his first half-season at the club, that all changed.<\/p>\n

The Spaniard went on to become first-choice left-back under both Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. In fact, he has made 36 or more appearances in each of his six full seasons with Arsenal.<\/p>\n

Nacho Monreal helped the club to three FA Cups and made 250 appearances across all competitions. He also scored ten goals for the Gunners during his stay.<\/p>\n

Following the departure of Laurent Koscielny<\/a>, Monreal became Arsenal’s longest-serving player and was named as co-captain at the start of the season.<\/p>\n

However, despite all his positive contributions to Arsenal over the last six and a half seasons, the 33-year-old would not receive a new contract if he stayed at the club.<\/p>\n

That is in addition to the fact that once fully-fit, Kieran Tierney will become first-choice. Due to the fact that the Scotland international will not be available for selection until October, the club will have to rely upon Sead Kolasinac<\/a> heavily in the interim.<\/p>\n

The Bosnian is a natural at wing-back but struggles at times in a back four. That may lead to some short-term pains for Arsenal in the absence of Nacho Monreal. However, in the long term, the move is best for both player and club.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>