Nacho Monreal Warns Arsenal on Sandro Tonali Move
Nacho Monreal has urged Arsenal to think twice before plunging back into the market for Sandro Tonali, warning that a move for the Newcastle United midfielder could come at a heavy internal cost.
The former Arsenal left-back, speaking to Rekatochklart, called Tonali “the best midfielder in the world” but questioned how such a signing would fit into a squad already built around Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice at the base of midfield.
Arsenal, who brought in Zubimendi for a substantial fee last year, have been linked with Tonali along with several other European clubs this summer. The Italian remains a marquee name despite his well-documented suspension, and his availability has inevitably drawn the attention of elite sides looking to add power and personality to their midfields.
Monreal’s admiration for Tonali is clear. In his eyes, there is no bigger prize in that area of the pitch. Yet he sees a major structural issue if Arsenal decide to press ahead.
“If Arsenal buys Tonali, they will get the best midfielder in the world,” he said. “But they signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult.”
That is the crux of his argument. Arsenal have already committed heavily to Zubimendi, while Rice has become the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s side since his arrival. Loading the squad with three elite defensive midfielders, Monreal suggested, risks imbalance and an inevitable sacrifice.
“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot,” he continued. “So I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice if they really want Tonali.”
For Monreal, that trade-off makes little sense. He rates Arsenal’s current pairing as the standard-setters in their position.
“In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world,” he said.
Arsenal’s recruitment team now face the familiar modern dilemma: chase another headline signing, or double down on a core that one of their former stalwarts believes is already as good as it gets.
