Nacho Monreal has warned Arsenal against selling Martin Odegaard, calling it a potential 'mistake', and named Paris Saint-Germain duo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola as dream signings to strengthen the left wing this summer.
Monreal: Odegaard sale would be a mistake
Speaking to BetBrothers, the former Arsenal and Spain full-back said letting the Norwegian captain leave would be a grave error. 'Martin Odegaard leaving would be a mistake. Of course he has had injuries and missed many games, but he's the captain and we know the quality that he has. There are not many players in the Premier League who can control the tempo of the game like he does. So I think he's gonna stay, yes, this squad will stay together and keep winning.'
Odegaard captained Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, but recent reports suggested the club might consider selling him if a suitable offer arrives. Monreal, who won three FA Cups with Arsenal, firmly believes the midfielder remains integral to the team's success.
Left wing priority for Arsenal
While encouraged by last year's transfer dealings, Monreal insists Arsenal must be ambitious to build on their title triumph. He identified left wing as a priority after a mixed campaign from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. 'Arsenal have a very good squad. That's why they won the Premier League last season. But if I would have to sign one player or a player for a specific position, I would say Arsenal maybe needs to improve the left winger,' he said.
Monreal praised Trossard and Martinelli as 'really good players, excellent players', but compared the position unfavourably to the right flank, where Bukayo Saka excels. 'Look at Declan Rice, the centre-backs. I have faith in Viktor Gyokeres too. I think they have a great squad, but that position can be improved.'
Dream signings: Kvaratskhelia and Barcola
Monreal picked out Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams as a potential 'great signing' but expressed concerns over his injury record. 'Nico Williams, when he's fit, he can make the difference in any game. His last season was not good enough. He had a lot of problems, injury problems. He was out. He missed many, many games. You can see now even in the World Cup, he's not playing because of the injuries. But he would be a great signing for Arsenal, of course.'
Instead, Monreal named PSG's Kvaratskhelia and Barcola as his top choices. 'Maybe if I was the Arsenal Sporting Director, maybe I would try for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Bradley Barcola, then you get stronger and they get weaker! But Nico Williams, when he's fit, he's really, really good. He'd be great at Arsenal.'
Arsenal's summer business so far
Arsenal have already completed two signings this summer. Piero Hincapie became the first arrival a fortnight ago, with the Gunners exercising a £34.5million option to buy the versatile defender after an initial loan. Free agent Illan Meslier is expected to be announced soon; the 26-year-old goalkeeper, whose contract with Leeds United expired last month, underwent a medical on Tuesday to serve as back-up for David Raya.
More ambitious moves are planned. Reports indicate Bruno Guimaraes could be set for a big-money switch to the Emirates, with the Newcastle midfielder informing the club of his desire to join Arsenal. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are believed to be pushing for the deal.
Gyokeres can improve, says Monreal
Monreal also backed last summer's £64million signing Viktor Gyokeres to improve in his second season. 'Gyokeres can improve next season and I think he will. We cannot compare the Portuguese League with the Premier League. The Premier League and Spanish League, they are the best leagues in the world, the most competitive. He did so well in Portugal because the level is lower than the Premier League. Gyokeres was good last season, but I think people expected a bit more from him, especially in terms of numbers. I like how he plays, how he fights for the team. But I would like him to score more goals. He's the striker of the best team in the league and I think this season he's gonna do a bit better in terms of numbers.'
Arsenal spent over £250million on transfer fees 12 months ago, bringing in Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
