Nacho Monreal

File:Nacho Monreal.jpg

Born in Pamplona, Monreal was a product of CA Osasuna's youth system and made his official debut for his hometown club in an away game against Valencia CF on 22 October 2006, a 1–0 La Liga loss.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/203837/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Valencia 1–0 Osasuna|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=22 October 2006|access-date=28 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225195559/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/203837/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|archive-date=25 February 2014}} He finished his first season with ten league appearances, adding two in that campaign's UEFA Champions League; after the Navarrese's relegation to the UEFA Cup, he appeared in four matches as the team reached the last four, being eliminated by fellow Spaniards Sevilla FC.{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/deportes/2007/05/04/sevilla-impone-ley-48031285.html|title=El Sevilla impone su ley|trans-title=Sevilla lay down the law|newspaper=El Periódico de Aragón|language=es|date=4 May 2007|access-date=26 September 2024}}

Monreal became first-choice in 2007–08, retaining that status in the subsequent seasons, with another youth product, César Azpilicueta, being the undisputed starter in the other defensive wing.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4194/editoriales/2013/02/02/3720629/monreal-y-azpilicueta-dos-amigos-que-vuelven-a-reunirse-en|title=Monreal y Azpilicueta, dos amigos que vuelven a reunirse en Londres|trans-title=Monreal and Azpilicueta, two friends that reunite in London|publisher=Goal|first=Ben|last=Hayward|language=es|date=2 February 2013|access-date=24 August 2018}}

On 10 June 2011, Monreal signed a five-year contract with Málaga CF on a €6 million transfer fee.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/06/10/futbol/equipos/malaga/1307714444.html|title=Monreal jugará en el Málaga las próximas cinco temporadas|trans-title=Monreal will play with Málaga in next four seasons|newspaper=Marca|first=Jesús|last=Ballesteros|language=es|date=10 June 2011|access-date=28 October 2012}} In his first season he initially battled for first-choice status with Eliseu, but ended up only missing seven games as the club finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for the first time.{{cite news|url=http://www.malagahoy.es/deportes/Eliseu-Monreal-punales_0_674332858.html|title=Eliseu y Monreal, dos puñales menos|trans-title=Eliseu and Monreal, two daggers less|newspaper=Málaga Hoy|language=es|date=26 February 2013|access-date=20 January 2018}}

Monreal scored his only goal for the Andalusians on 27 January 2013, in a 3–2 away win over RCD Mallorca.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348320/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Mallorca stung by 10-man Malaga|publisher=ESPN FC|date=27 January 2013|access-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131051349/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348320/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|archive-date=31 January 2013}}

File:Nacho Monreal and Florian Thauvin.jpg during a Champions League match against Marseille in November 2013]]

On 31 January 2013, Monreal joined English side Arsenal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, believed by Sky Sports to be around £8.5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8459528/Arsenal-sign-Spain-internation-left-back-Nacho-Monreal-from-Malaga|title=Arsenal sign Spain international left-back Nacho Monreal from Malaga|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 February 2013|access-date=24 August 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/feb/01/arsenal-sign-nacho-monreal|title=Arsenal swoop late to sign Nacho Monreal from Málaga in £8.5m deal|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Dominic|last=Fifield|date=1 February 2013|access-date=8 July 2020}} He was given the number 17 shirt,{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/nacho-monreal-agrees-to-join-arsenal|title=Nacho Monreal agrees to join Arsenal|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=31 January 2013|access-date=1 February 2013}} and made his Premier League debut against Stoke City two days later in a 1–0 home win.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3941/england/2013/02/02/3721101/team-news-monreal-handed-start-on-arsenal-debut-against|title=Team news: Monreal handed start on Arsenal debut against Stoke City|publisher=Goal|date=2 February 2013|access-date=2 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209193|title=Arsenal 1–0 Stoke|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Neil|last=Johnston|date=2 February 2013|access-date=2 February 2013}}

On 23 February 2013, Monreal provided the assist for countryman Santi Cazorla to score the winner in a 2–1 victory over Aston Villa.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21482693|title=Arsenal 2–1 Aston Villa|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|date=23 February 2013|access-date=24 February 2013}} He scored his first goal for the Gunners on 16 March, opening a 2–0 win at Swansea City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21724187|title=Swansea 0–2 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Aled|last=Williams|date=16 March 2013|access-date=23 March 2013}}

Monreal returned from injury{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-gibbs-sagna-monreal-the-ox|title=Team news: Gibbs, Sagna, Monreal, the Ox|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=20 August 2013|access-date=23 August 2013}} on 21 August 2013 to feature in Arsenal's 3–0 win at Fenerbahçe SK in the Champions League group stage play-off, playing the last three minutes in the place of Theo Walcott.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1314/post/first-team/fenerbahce-0-3-arsenal-match-report|title=Fenerbahçe 0–3 Arsenal|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=21 August 2013|access-date=23 August 2013}} On 26 September, he scored the deciding penalty in a shootout against West Bromwich Albion to send his team into the fourth round of the League Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/301230/report|title=Capital One Cup third round: Arsenal win penalty shootout after 1–1 draw with WBA|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 September 2013|access-date=29 May 2014}}

Upon the arrival of Alexis Sánchez in the 2014 off-season, Monreal took the vacant number 18 previously worn by Sébastien Squillaci. On 23 August, he assisted Olivier Giroud's late equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Everton.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/23/everton-arsenal-premier-league-match-report|title=Olivier Giroud rescues a point after Arsenal show backbone at Everton|newspaper=The Observer|first=Paul|last=Wilson|date=23 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2018}} Additionally, an injury crisis in the squad saw him being deployed in an unfamiliar central defender role in a string of games, after Laurent Koscielny was put out of action due to an Achilles tendon injury.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/541323/Arsenal-Arsene-Wenger-Nacho-Monreal-centre-back-football-news|title=Arsene Wenger rules out move for centre-back... says he's happy with Nacho Monreal|newspaper=Daily Express|first=Simon|last=Yeend|date=29 November 2013|access-date=14 January 2015}}

On 9 March 2015, Monreal scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford that put Arsenal through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31689011|title=Manchester United 1–2 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=9 March 2015|access-date=10 March 2015}} He played the full 90 minutes in the decisive match, a 4–0 defeat of Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32856754|title=Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=30 May 2015|access-date=30 May 2015}}

On 19 January 2016, Monreal signed a new long-term contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160118/monreal-signs-new-long-term-contract|title=Monreal signs new long-term contract|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|first=Max|last=Jones|date=19 January 2016|access-date=24 August 2018}} On 23 April 2017, he scored the vital equaliser as his team came from behind to defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/apr/23/arsenal-v-manchester-city-fa-cup-semi-final-live|title=Arsenal 2–1 Manchester City: FA Cup semi-final – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Jacob|last=Steinberg|date=23 April 2017|access-date=1 May 2017}}

On 6 November 2017, after good performances on the left side of a three-man defence,{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/premier-league-5-big-talking-points-arsenal-4-3-leicester|title=Premier League: 5 big talking points from Arsenal 4–3 Leicester|publisher=FourFourTwo|first=Joe|last=Brewin|date=11 August 2017|access-date=22 November 2017}} Monreal won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Month award for October of that year.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2017/11/6/pfa-premier-league-fans-player-of-the-month-nacho-monreal|title=Nacho Monreal wins October's PFA Bristol Street Motors Fans' Player of the Month|publisher=Professional Footballers' Association|date=6 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044001/https://www.thepfa.com/news/2017/11/6/pfa-premier-league-fans-player-of-the-month-nacho-monreal|archive-date=1 December 2017}} The following 20 January, he netted once and made two assists before retiring injured 30 minutes into an eventual 4–1 home win against Crystal Palace.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/3354818/nacho-monreal-creative-cameo-sets-up-emphatic-arsenal-win-vs-crystal-palace|title=Monreal's creative cameo sets up emphatic Arsenal win vs. Palace|publisher=ESPN FC|first=Andrew|last=Mangan|date=20 January 2018|access-date=20 January 2018}}

Monreal returned to Spain on 31 August 2019, with the 33-year-old joining Real Sociedad on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/news/details/agreement-for-the-transfer-of-monreal|title=Agreement for the transfer of Monreal|publisher=Real Sociedad|date=31 August 2019|access-date=31 August 2019}} He scored on his competitive debut two weeks later, converting an easy tap-in at the hour mark of an eventual 2–0 victory over Atlético Madrid at Anoeta Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/cronica/2019/09/14/5d7d37b0e2704e885d8b458f.html|title=Real Sociedad hand Atletico their first setback of the season|newspaper=Marca|first=Euan|last=McTear|date=14 September 2019|access-date=16 September 2019}}

Monreal missed the entire 2021–22 season, due to a knee injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/2022/03/11/monreal-cerca-reaparecer-alguacil-no-pone-fecha-retorno-520369-1022.html|title=Monreal, cerca de reaparecer aunque Alguacil no pone fecha a su retorno|trans-title=Monreal, close to reappearing even though Alguacil is not setting a return date|newspaper=Diario de Navarra|language=es|date=11 March 2022|access-date=21 April 2022}} On 23 May 2022, the club announced his departure.{{cite news|url=https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/nacho-monreal-20220523101059-nt.html|title=Nacho Monreal no seguirá en la Real Sociedad|trans-title=Nacho Monreal will not continue at Real Sociedad|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|first=Beñat|last=Barreto|language=es|date=23 May 2022|access-date=27 July 2022}}

On 16 August 2022, Monreal announced his retirement at 36.{{cite news|url=https://www.naiz.eus/en/info/noticia/20220816/nacho-monreal-cuelga-las-botas-mi-rodilla-me-manda-un-mensaje-no-doy-para-mas|title=Nacho Monreal anuncia su retirada: "Mi rodilla me manda un mensaje, no doy para más"|trans-title=Nacho Monreal announces his retirement: "My knee is sending me a message, i've gone as far as I could"|newspaper=Naiz|language=es|date=16 August 2022|access-date=16 August 2022}}

File:Spain - Chile - 10-09-2013 - Geneva - Eduardo Vargas, Ignacio Monreal and Andres Iniesta.jpg's Eduardo Vargas in a 2013 friendly]]

In 2007, Monreal earned his first call for the Spain under-21 team. He started all their matches in the 2009 UEFA European Championship, in an eventual group-stage exit.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2009/06/22/futbol/seleccion/1245703345.html|title=Una despedida definitiva|trans-title=Final goodbye|newspaper=Marca|first=Delfín|last=Melero|language=es|date=22 June 2009|access-date=26 September 2024}}

On 6 August 2009, Monreal was called up to the senior side for the first time, for an exhibition game with Macedonia.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2009/08/06/mas_futbol/1249509630_850215.html|title=Monreal: "Esta oportunidad es algo mágico para mí"|trans-title=Monreal: "This is a magical opportunity for me"|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=6 August 2009|access-date=26 September 2024}} He played the last 15 minutes for Joan Capdevila in a 3–2 away win;{{cite web|url=http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-futbol-seleccion-cronica-macedonia-espana-20090812233357.html|title=Crónica del Macedonia-España: 2–3.|trans-title=Macedonia-Spain match report: 2–3.|publisher=Europa Press|language=es|date=12 August 2009|access-date=15 April 2014}} on 7 September 2010, in the nation's second game after they won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, he featured the entire 4–1 friendly loss to Argentina.{{cite web|url=http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-futbol-seleccion-cronica-argentina-espana-20100908000609.html|title=Crónica del Argentina – España, 4–1|trans-title=Argentina – Spain match report, 4–1|publisher=Europa Press|language=es|date=8 September 2010|access-date=15 April 2014}}

Monreal was a member of Spain's squad which reached the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, although he was second-choice left-back behind FC Barcelona's Jordi Alba. He started in the last two group games, beginning with a 10–0 thrashing of Tahiti at the Maracanã where he set up a David Villa goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22896367|title=Spain 10–0 Tahiti|publisher=BBC Sport|last1=Magowan|first1=Alistair|date=20 June 2013|access-date=19 January 2015}}

Monreal scored his first goal for Spain on 12 November 2016, contributing to a 4–0 defeat of Macedonia for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Granada.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2016/11/12/58278dc046163f296f8b45b2.html|title=Spain march past Macedonia|newspaper=Marca|first=Arch|last=Bell|location=Madrid|date=12 November 2016|access-date=24 August 2018}} He was then selected by manager Julen Lopetegui for the finals in Russia.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/morata-misses-out-on-spain-world-cup-squad/1ub1qz7jod09i1lfvdcy84ea2l|title=Morata misses out on Spain's 23-man World Cup squad|publisher=Goal|first=Tom|last=Maston|date=21 May 2018|access-date=21 May 2018}}

Upon signing with Arsenal in 2013, the club's manager Arsène Wenger described Monreal as "a strong left-sided defender with good experience at both club and international level. He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21279814|title=Nacho Monreal: Arsenal sign Malaga & Spain left-back|publisher=BBC Sport|first=David|last=Ornstein|date=31 January 2013|access-date=17 May 2020}} Although he usually played as a defensive–minded left-back in a four-man back-line, he was also capable of playing as a centre-back or even as a left-sided defender in a back three.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/monreal-leadership-role-what-i-want|title=Monreal – A leadership role is what I want|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|first=Chris|last=Harris|date=23 July 2019|access-date=17 May 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11617998/Arsenal-players-ranked-and-rated-in-pictures.html?frame=3311383|title=Arsenal players ranked and rated – in pictures|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=17 May 2020}}

{{Notelist}}

:Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Monreal goal.

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2013–14,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27354148|title=Arsenal 3–2 Hull City|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=17 May 2014|access-date=24 April 2019}} 2014–15,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32856754|title=Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=30 May 2015|access-date=24 April 2019}} 2016–17{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089|title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=27 May 2017|access-date=24 April 2019}}
• FA Community Shield: 2014,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28647186|title=Arsenal 3–0 Manchester City|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|date=10 August 2014|access-date=24 April 2019}} 2015,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33667216|title=Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Cryer|date=2 August 2015|access-date=24 April 2019}} 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40766983|title=Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Tom|last=Rostance|date=6 August 2017|access-date=24 April 2019}}
• EFL Cup runner-up: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43101681|title=Arsenal 0–3 Manchester City|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=25 February 2018|access-date=24 April 2019}}
• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018–19{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368406|title=Chelsea 4–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Bevan|date=29 May 2019|access-date=29 May 2019}}

Real Sociedad

• Copa del Rey: 2019–20{{cite news|url=https://en.as.com/en/2021/04/03/football/1617473340_092105.html|title=Athletic Club 0–1 Real Sociedad: result, summary, goal|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Paul|last=Reidy|date=3 April 2021|access-date=3 April 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419225734/https://en.as.com/en/2021/04/03/football/1617473340_092105.html|archive-date=19 April 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/03/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-2020-final-match-report|title=Real Sociedad beat Athletic to claim Copa del Rey and Basque glory|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sid|last=Lowe|date=3 April 2021|access-date=3 April 2021}}

Spain

• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 2013

Individual

• Professional Footballers' Association Fans' Player of the Month: October 2017

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/nacho-monreal Official Arsenal profile]
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Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen

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