Nacho Monreal has reportedly signed a one-year extension to his current deal, according to reports in the Sun.
This will take his stay at the club to the end of the 2019/20 season. Another aspect of the deal is that there is an option to extend his contract by another year into the 2020/21 season.
There were rumors that the defender was being looked at by teams from the Spanish League but his stay with the North London club will continue. Monreal is thought to be part of the plans laid out by manager Unai Emery for the new season.
The report in Sun further states that the defender will remain on his £65,000-a-week wages going forward. The Gunners are yet to officially announce the new contract.
Having signed way back in January of 2013, Monreal has gone on to establish himself as on the most dependable defenders at the club. Another reason for this deal being extended could be the versatility that he offers.
Apart from playing as a full back, the Spaniard can also play in the center of the defense and has been used there many times especially when the Emirates club played a 3-man back line.
Monreal has also scored some crucial goals for the club and this made him a firm fan favorite. His experience will be crucial for an Arsenal side that is looking to get back into the Champions League after failing to qualify for the second consecutive season.
The defeat in the Europa League final to Chelsea was a big blow and that will definitely have an impact on the fortunes of the club.
A big reason for failing to get back to the European elite was the performance of the Arsenal defense that led the club down at crucial times. One of the biggest examples of this is the defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
Arsenal are yet to make any major moves in the transfer market and that has left fans feeling a little worried. But if the club is keen on achieving their targets for the season, it is important to keep hold of the player such as Monreal.
