Nacho Monreal will be a top signing for Arsenal

Arsenal made Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Monreal their first signing of the January transfer window from Malaga on a long term contract for a fee believed to be in the region of £10.5 m.

The Spain international won’t be eligible to play in the Champions League knock out rounds for Arsenal, having already played for Malaga in the Group stage of the same competition.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager was keen to sign a quality player in the winter transfer window and it seems like he has found the right man to solve his defensive woes. There was a genuine fear in the Arsenal camp, expressed by the Frenchman himself that the Gunners might not finish in top four this season and certainly this signing will lift the morale in the dressing room.

Monreal is a quality player. He is technically gifted, physically strong and has an outstanding positional sense. He brings solidity at the back which the Gunners need more than anything else. He will add the necessary balance in the side and will allow skipper Thomas Vermaelen to play in his natural central defensive position only.

This is for the first time in many years that Arsenal will have two quality left backs in the side. His presence will add competition in the team and will help Kieran Gibbs to improve further. Moreover, his experience at both club and country levels will prove handy for the Gunners.

The 26-year-old will join fellow compatriot Santi Cazorla at the club who joined the North Londoners in the summer. His signing is not a panic buy by any stretch of imagination and hopefully it will open the exit doors for Andre Santos, who gave Arsenal fans nightmares every time he took the field.