Nacho Monreal Warns Arsenal Against Signing Sandro Tonali

Nacho Monreal has urged Arsenal to think twice before launching a move for Sandro Tonali, warning that signing the Newcastle United midfielder could come at the cost of breaking up what he believes is already the best defensive core in world football.

The former Arsenal left-back, speaking to Rekatochklart, praised Tonali in glowing terms, calling him “the best midfielder in the world.” The Italian has been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer, with Arsenal among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.

Monreal, though, sees a major problem. Arsenal’s midfield is already built around Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice, and he believes adding Tonali to that mix would force a painful decision.

“If Arsenal buys Tonali, they will get the best midfielder in the world,” Monreal said. “But they signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult.”

That, for him, is the crux. Arsenal have invested heavily to construct a double pivot that can dominate both with and without the ball. Tearing it up now, he suggests, would be a luxury even an ambitious club might struggle to justify.

“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.”

It is a stark equation: Tonali in, one of the current pillars out.

Monreal made clear where he stands on that trade-off, underlining just how highly he rates Arsenal’s existing options.

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

Arsenal may admire Tonali’s talent. Monreal’s message is simple: to chase him now would mean dismantling what many see as the heart of Mikel Arteta’s project.