I joined Arsenal in surprise deadline day transfer after waking up to two missed calls from Santi Cazorla
Nacho Monreal is arguably one of Arsenal’s greatest ever January signings – and fans have Santi Cazorla to thank for that. The Spaniard linked up at the Emirates from Malaga on deadline day in 2013 for around £10million. Monreal earned cult hero status at the Emirates following his lengthy spell in north London He joined the Gunners just months after Cazorla made the same move from the LaLiga outfit. Monreal was initially signed to provide competition for Kieran Gibbs, but quickly endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful. Within two years, he was the first-choice left-back under Arsene Wenger – starting in the 2015 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa. It was one of three FA Cups that the retired 38-year-old won in north London – in addition to three Community Shields he scooped where he featured in each win. But things could have worked out so differently for Monreal had Cazorla not convinced him to join in a deadline day phone call. Few Arsenal fans would have even heard of the player 12 years ago, with interest in the defender coming as a surprise to everyone. However no one was more shocked than Monreal himself, who revealed he only learned that Arsenal were keen to sign him after waking up to missed calls from Cazorla. Speaking in 2015, he said: “I remember on January 31, I woke up, looked at my phone and has two [missed] calls from Santi. “And I thought it was really strange, Santi calling me in the morning. “So I called him: ‘Santi, how are you? What’s happened?’ Cazorla persuaded Monreal to join Arsenal, with the duo enjoying great success together Monreal scooped three FA Cup titles and will go down as one of Arsenal’s best ever January signings “‘[He replied] Nacho, do you want to come to Arsenal?’ “‘[I replied] What, pardon me? Yes, of course.’ So the transfer was really quick. “On one day I was training in the morning with Malaga and I didn’t know anything, and then ten hours later I was signing my contract with Arsenal. “It was a really, really strange day for me, really happy of course, a good day for me.” In his first interview with Arsenal.com following his move from Spain, Monreal opened up on just what Cazorla said to persuade him to join. He remarked: “Yes, I spoke to Santi, we had a long conversation about things. I asked how things were here and he only had very positive things to say. Monreal enjoyed a trophy-laden six-and-a-half-year stay at the Emirates from 2013-2019 “He said that Arsenal was a massive club, the people are great and it’s really just a big family. He only had good things to say. “I am sure we can be successful this season and I am really looking forward to the challenge. “As there’s a familiar face in Santi, I’m a lot calmer about things. Having shared a dressing room with someone who’s already made this journey is a good feeling. “Now it’s my turn and I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps.” Monreal didn’t just become a cult hero like Cazorla, but he was more successful at Arsenal than his compatriot – staying a year long and featuring in 71 more games in all competitions. Towards the end of his Arsenal career, he slotted in as a left-sided centre-back in a back three formation, highlighting his versatility and willingness to deliver wherever deployed. After six-and-a-half-years in north London, he decided to return to Spain in August 2019 to join Real Sociedad. It was there where he played alongside future Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, who made the move to the club last summer. He also played alongside midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who talkSPORT understands is poised to link up with Arsenal at the end of the season. But Monreal will always be remembered for his time spent at Arsenal. And while he arrived at the club as a relatively unknown quantity, he has left a lasting legacy at his former stomping ground.
Nacho Monreal is arguably one of Arsenal’s greatest ever January signings – and fans have Santi Cazorla to thank for that.
The Spaniard linked up at the Emirates from Malaga on deadline day in 2013 for around £10million.
He joined the Gunners just months after Cazorla made the same move from the LaLiga outfit.
Monreal was initially signed to provide competition for Kieran Gibbs, but quickly endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful.
Within two years, he was the first-choice left-back under Arsene Wenger – starting in the 2015 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa.
It was one of three FA Cups that the retired 38-year-old won in north London – in addition to three Community Shields he scooped where he featured in each win.
But things could have worked out so differently for Monreal had Cazorla not convinced him to join in a deadline day phone call.
Few Arsenal fans would have even heard of the player 12 years ago, with interest in the defender coming as a surprise to everyone.
However no one was more shocked than Monreal himself, who revealed he only learned that Arsenal were keen to sign him after waking up to missed calls from Cazorla.
Speaking in 2015, he said: “I remember on January 31, I woke up, looked at my phone and has two [missed] calls from Santi.
“And I thought it was really strange, Santi calling me in the morning.
“So I called him: ‘Santi, how are you? What’s happened?’
“‘[He replied] Nacho, do you want to come to Arsenal?’
“‘[I replied] What, pardon me? Yes, of course.’ So the transfer was really quick.
“On one day I was training in the morning with Malaga and I didn’t know anything, and then ten hours later I was signing my contract with Arsenal.
“It was a really, really strange day for me, really happy of course, a good day for me.”
In his first interview with Arsenal.com following his move from Spain, Monreal opened up on just what Cazorla said to persuade him to join.
He remarked: “Yes, I spoke to Santi, we had a long conversation about things. I asked how things were here and he only had very positive things to say.
“He said that Arsenal was a massive club, the people are great and it’s really just a big family. He only had good things to say.
“I am sure we can be successful this season and I am really looking forward to the challenge.
“As there’s a familiar face in Santi, I’m a lot calmer about things. Having shared a dressing room with someone who’s already made this journey is a good feeling.
“Now it’s my turn and I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps.”
Monreal didn’t just become a cult hero like Cazorla, but he was more successful at Arsenal than his compatriot – staying a year long and featuring in 71 more games in all competitions.
Towards the end of his Arsenal career, he slotted in as a left-sided centre-back in a back three formation, highlighting his versatility and willingness to deliver wherever deployed.
After six-and-a-half-years in north London, he decided to return to Spain in August 2019 to join Real Sociedad.
It was there where he played alongside future Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, who made the move to the club last summer.
He also played alongside midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who talkSPORT understands is poised to link up with Arsenal at the end of the season.
But Monreal will always be remembered for his time spent at Arsenal.
And while he arrived at the club as a relatively unknown quantity, he has left a lasting legacy at his former stomping ground.
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