Nacho Monreal is set to reach the end of his contract with the Gunners and he might be leaving the club as a free agent by the end of this season.
Monreal, 32, joined the North London outfits in 2013 from Malaga and he’s been a hit for the Unai Emery’s side.
Though report claimed that Barcelona are keenly interested in bringing the experienced player back to his homeland in January, Unai Emery believes his compatriot is going nowhere.
According to the manager in his pre-match conference earlier today, he knew Monreal, while he was still with Malaga, to be a strong and wonderful player.
“I knew Nacho in Spain when he was playing in Osasuna and in Malaga. After six years here, I came and I know him as a new Nacho Monreal,” Emery revealed to Newsmen.
Having spent some time with the defender, Emery revealed he loves working with him and wants him to remain at the Emirates Stadium for more seasons.
There were concerns over the player’s fitness level due to his age but the former PSG boss has swiftly erased every doubt about Monreal’s physical strength.
Emery told reporters that he’s to see that the player still remains as strong as ever.
He further revealed that his countryman possessed all it takes — physically and psychologically — to play every single game of the season as long as he didn’t pick up any injury.
“I am very happy with him because he is 32 years old but I think physically, with his performances with us in matches, he is playing with a very good level.” he said.
Unai Emery also speaks on what his players should expect from Rafa Benitez’s men when both clubs clash in the Premier League week five fixture at the St James’ Park on Saturday.
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