It looks like Arsenal are always going to struggle to find inconsistency under latter-day Arsene Wenger. The Professor can get his team motivated for the occasional game, but he’s also been at the helm for some dire performances in recent years. Think back to their huge away day defeats to Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea last season.
If you want a more recent example, then think back to their 3-1 home defeat to Monaco. It was a disastrous result and a shoddy performance.
That being said, they’ve looked much better since the turn of the year. Defeats to Southampton and Monaco aside, they’d beaten everyone in their path, including Manchester City and Manchester United. For a team that’s as inconsistent as Arsenal, this must count as ‘form’.
Why have Arsenal been so good? Is it down to Santi Cazorla’s form? Alexis Sanchez’s drive? Mesut Ozil’s creativity? Olivier Giroud’s goals? Some combination of all of the above?
It’s hard to say. One thing’s for sure: Nacho Monreal hasn’t been getting enough credit for his role in Arsenal’s turn-around.
The Spanish left back has been considered a back-up for Kieran Gibbs since his arrival at The Emirates. Whilst he’s often got game time (he’s made 76 appearances for the club over 3 seasons) dues to injuries to Arsenal’s English left-back, he’s often been shaky and uncertain. At times it looked like he was struggling to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
Luckily, something seems to have clicked for him this season (this is probably the result of bag-loads of hard work behind the scenes) as he’s now nipping in front of attackers to win tackles, out-muscling opposition and making numerous interceptions in every game. He’s also improved his input going forward, as demonstrated by his goal against Manchester United.
He’s a calming presence and an effective one. Most importantly for Arsenal, he’s developed a quality that many defenders lack: consistency. The Gunners’ £10m signing has come good. Perhaps a place in the Premier League Team of the Year beckons?
What’s your take? How important has Nacho Monreal been for The Gunners this season?
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I think after he deputised as centre half, he has come on as one of the best left backs in the Premiership, Gibbs I am sorry to say, “plays 2 games then is out with injuries for 4”