Arsenal supporters have been in fine voice in recent times after seeing their team extend their incredible unbeaten run to 17 matches over the weekend.
Unai Emery’s men went into their clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League having won seven and drawn the other three of their preceding ten league matches, alongside an unbeaten Europa League campaign and progression to the last eight of the Carabao Cup. And the Gunners stretched their unbeaten streak to 17 games with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium, with an own goal from Jefferson Lerma as well as a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike keeping Emery’s side fifth in the Premier League table.
Thus, there have been many delighted Gunners fans up and down the country in recent times, several of whom are hoping for even more from their team as the season wears on given just how good they have been in recent weeks.
And one man who played a part in establishing their unbeaten run is Nacho Monreal, who former boss Arsene Wenger signed for just £9 million (as per Transfermarkt) back in January 2013.
And while the Spain international hasn’t always delivered the goods for the North London giants, the last few seasons, and indeed the start of this campaign, has seen his level improve dramatically, with Emery thus needing to thank Wenger for equipping him with an Arsenal lynchpin.
Ultimately, the 32-year-old was lured to the Emirates Stadium by Wenger back in 2013 as the Frenchman sought to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of a possible title push, with Monreal very much grappling with Kieran Gibbs for the number one left back spot for the remainder of that season.
But the summer of 2013 saw the Spaniard, capped 22 times by his country, nail down that spot with 28 Premier League appearances for the Gunners in their run to fourth place in the 2013/14 season, the season in which they also ended their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup.
And Monreal has since then been a regular in the Arsenal first team given his consistently high-level displays down the left-hand-side, with former boss Wenger also utilising him as part of a back three last term to great effect – his versatility was clear for all to see.
And with starts in seven of Emery’s first eight Premier League games this time round, the 32-year-old remains a hugely integral part of this Arsenal side, although injury has since ruled him out of their last five league matches, opening the door for Sead Kolasinac to stake a claim for the left back spot.
And while the Bosnia and Herzegovina international shone at Bournemouth on Sunday, one would expect Monreal to return to the starting eleven when fully fit, further underlining just how much Emery owes Wenger for equipping him with a Gunners lynchpin.
Arsenal fans… what do you think? Let us know!
