Arsenal boss reveals reasons for Nacho Monreal swoop

Friday, February 1, 2013
11:34 AM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed Kieran Gibbs’ injury setback made it imperative for him to sign Spain full-back Nacho Monreal from Malaga.

The Gunners moved to push through a deadline day deal, believed to be for £8.5million, after England defender Gibbs hobbled off in Wednesday night’s Premier League 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium with a thigh problem.

With the prognosis of that injury now more concerning - set to rule the left-back out of action for possibly the best part of two months - Wenger was glad to have been able to conclude a deal for a player he had been tracking for some time.

“Our scouts have followed his progress for a while and of course we had a blow with the Gibbs injury, which is a bit longer than expected,” Wenger said at Arsenal’s media conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against Stoke.

“We expected two to three weeks, now it will be four to six, so we were in a position where we had to make a quick decision. That explains our buy.”

Wenger continued: “I believe we need two left-backs. You cannot play every single game with the same player. We had two before, we have two again now.

“If Gibbs is out for four to six weeks, from six it can easily go to eight [before he is competitive again] and that means two months in a very decisive period, so it is vital to have another left back.”

Monreal, 26, will be cup-tied for the Champions League having helped Malaga qualify for the knockout stages.

However, Wenger is in no doubt the Spaniard can have a big impact within the Gunners squad.

“We believe he can integrate our style of play and adapt very quickly to that,” said Wenger.

“He has the characteristics to play our game because he is very mobile, has a good left foot and is very good in combination play. It is of course vital in our style of play.”