Former Arsenal fan-favourite Nacho Monreal announces retirement

Former Arsenal and Spain left back Nacho Monreal has retired from football at the age of 36

The former Gunner took to Instagram to announce his decision to hang up his boots, mainly due to a knee injury.

He described it as a “loud and clear” message from his knees having taken his body:

“To limits that I would never have imagined”. 

Monreal joined Arsenal in 2013, when former boss Arsene Wenger singed him on deadline day in January from Malaga for a fee of around £8.5 million.

The Spaniard was a solid left back for many seasons at Arsenal, and although injuries kept him out for multiple periods of time, he always found his way back in the team.

Across six seasons at the Emirates, Monreal played 251 games, and assisted 20 goals, as well as scoring 10.

His best achievements in an Arsenal shirt included three FA cup wins, in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

One of his best moments for fans to look back on was his equaliser in the 2017 FA cup semi-final against Man City.

His fierce right-footed volley at the back post made the game 1-1 in the 71st minute.

Arsenal would go onto win the game 2-1 in extra time, and from there beat Chelsea in the final of the cup.

Monreal left the club in 2019 at the end of his contract and would go onto sign for Spanish side Real Sociedad, where he played his final 3 years in football.

It was clear Nacho enjoyed his time in North London, and in 2020 he spoke to the mirror on the challenge of moving to the Premier League.

He said:

““It was a leap: I’m from a tiny town, had never left [Spain], and went alone to a new country with a language I didn’t understand, where I hardly knew anyone.

"On my debut at Stoke there was a clash of heads, blood: a nice welcome to the Premier League.

"Sometimes, though, the train passes just once; climb on board or it goes by. Seven years later, I’m so happy I did.”

Arsenal fans have shown their appreciation online for the former player and will hope one day he can come back to the Emirates for them to congratulate him again on a great career.