• Premier League

Arsenal sign Monreal from Malaga

ESPN staff
January 31, 2013
Nacho Monreal will strengthen Arsenal's backline © Getty Images
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Arsenal have completed the transfer deadline day signing of Spain international full-back Nacho Monreal from Malaga.

Monreal, 26, has signed a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee - believed to be around £8.5 million - at the north London club, after Arsene Wenger decided to push through the transfer late in the window.

Monreal flew to England on Thursday to complete a medical and agree personal terms, and could be available for the Gunners' Saturday home fixture against Stoke City - subject to the completion of formal league paperwork.

He will not be available for Arsenal's forthcoming Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, however, having already played in the group stages of the competition for Malaga.

"We are delighted that Nacho Monreal has agreed to join us," Wenger said. "We have been monitoring him for some time now and are really pleased that we've been able to agree this move today.

"Monreal is a strong left-sided defender with good experience at both club and international level. He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air.

"Monreal will add quality to our squad and of course, to our defensive unit.

"We all look forward to him playing for us."

The club's need for reinforcements at the left-back position was heightened after Kieron Gibbs was ruled out for three weeks with a thigh injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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