Nacho Monreal Warns Arsenal on Sandro Tonali Signing
Nacho Monreal has urged Arsenal to think twice before plunging into the race for Sandro Tonali, warning that signing the Newcastle United midfielder could come at a heavy cost.
The former Arsenal left-back, speaking to Rekatochklart, hailed Tonali in glowing terms but argued that the London club’s midfield is already stacked at the very top level with Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
“If Arsenal buys Tonali, they will get the best midfielder in the world,” Monreal said, leaving no doubt about how highly he rates the Italian.
Then came the caveat.
Arsenal invested heavily in Zubimendi last year, reshaping the spine of Mikel Arteta’s side around the Spaniard and Rice. For Monreal, that reality makes another blockbuster move in the same area of the pitch difficult to justify.
“But they signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult,” he pointed out.
The numbers and the hierarchy matter. Three elite defensive midfielders, one pivot. Something would have to give.
“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot,” Monreal continued. “So I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice if they really want Tonali.”
It is a stark equation: add Tonali, lose a cornerstone.
Monreal’s stance is clear. For all Tonali’s quality and potential availability this summer, he believes Arsenal are already holding a winning hand at the base of midfield.
“In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world,” he said.
The admiration for Tonali is obvious. The warning is sharper. Arsenal can chase another star, but at what price to the balance they have just built?
