After a slow start to his career at Arsenal, Nacho Monreal has gone on to become a first-team star with the Gunners.
Arguably the most improved player within Arsenal’s squad this calendar year, Monreal has made the left-back slot his own ahead of Kieran Gibbs and has been a part of a fantastic defence alongside Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin.
Whilst that’s superb for the Gunners, it also hands a little bit of a problem in the long-term as it gives Arsenal a challenge to replace Monreal in the future.
At 29-years-old, Monreal still has a few years ahead of him but a return to Spain could be on the cards sometime soon. On top of this, with Gibbs shaky at times and being used sparingly as a winger, there’s an argument to suggest a left-back should be brought in to provide more competition.
Jonathan Kaney has come up with five potential targets to replace Monreal at left-back in the future, though it’s up for debate whether some of these names can improve Arsenal’s squad imminently. We’ll let you be the judge of that.
Hit the navigation buttons to see FIVE potential replacements for Nacho Monreal!
Jose Gaya, 20, Valencia
Top class left back prospects are in high demand and Valencia youngster Jose Gaya is one whose stock is rising every year. At just 20 years old Gaya has already established himself in the Valencia first team and was linked with a £35m move to Chelsea last season.
While he doesn’t quite have the pace of Bellerin, he is certainly a talented flying winger on the left-hand side and would be a cracking signing for the future to compliment the pace of Sanchez on the left.
Samuel Umtiti, 21, Lyon
Umtiti has made 100 league appearances for Lyon despite being just 21 years old and the highly-rated French youngster has been linked with a host of top clubs over the past two seasons.
He recently made comments in the media that his dream is to play in the Premier League one day and as a versatile left-footed defender who is comfortable playing left back or centre back, he certainly would do well in England.
We would have a battle on our hands with other top clubs for his signature and would have to pay big money for him, but he’s another promising left sided player who would be a fantastic signing for the future.
Ricardo Rodriguez, 23, Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez is one of the most highly-rated left-backs in European football after making a solid name for himself in the Bundesliga. The Swiss international has been linked with top clubs across Europe for several seasons now and would be an excellent signing for Arsenal at left-back.
He would command a high price tag from the notoriously business savvy Wolfsburg, but with him having a great mix of attacking flair and defensive maturity and one of the best left pegs in Europe, the 23-year-old is worthwhile investment and one will definitely end up at a top club soon.
Faouzi Ghoulam, 24, Napoli
The Napoli left back has gained plenty of attention from Europe’s big clubs with his performances over the past few seasons in Serie A and is another left back who will undoubtedly end up at a top club soon.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for him in the summer when Nacho Monreal was rumoured to be moving back to Spain and as a quick, strong, technically sound, and tactically intelligent talent, he is definitely suited for the Premier League and could do well at Arsenal.
Alex Grimaldo, 20, Barcelona
Recent rumours have linked Arsene Wenger with a move for Barcelona B captain Alex Grimaldo, who could follow the likes of Cesc Fabregas, John Toral and Hector Bellerin to swap Catalunya for North London.
The 20-year-old left back is a huge talent in Spain, but is reportedly eyeing a move away from the Nou Camp after struggling for first-team action behind Jordi Alba in the pecking order. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Arsenal could snap up the youngest-ever Barca B graduate at 15 years and 349 days for free.