Arsenal's Dilemma: Nacho Monreal on Sandro Tonali Transfer

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 cost.

The former Arsenal left-back, speaking to Rekatochklart, hailed Tonali in glowing terms, calling him “the best midfielder in the world” and acknowledging why Europe’s elite, including his old club, have been circling this summer. The admiration, though, came with a clear caution.

Arsenal, he pointed out, already paid big money last year to bring in Martín Zubimendi and have Declan Rice anchoring Mikel Arteta’s midfield. For Monreal, that duo sets the standard.

“In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world,” he said.

That is where the dilemma lies. Monreal believes adding Tonali on top of Zubimendi and Rice would overload one area of the squad and force a brutal decision.

“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot,” he argued, suggesting that if Arsenal truly push for Tonali, “I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice.”

So the equation is stark. Arsenal can chase another marquee name in Tonali, or they can double down on the Zubimendi–Rice axis Monreal rates so highly. They are unlikely, he insists, to keep all three.