La Liga Champions Atlético Madrid Interested In Arsenal Duo

Arsenal look to set to lose out on Spanish duo Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal to Atlético Madrid as reports in Spain are suggesting that the Spanish champions are preparing a double swoop for them. With both players currently on the fringes of the first-team, it is likely to be a move that benefits both clubs and the players as well.

Both Monreal and Cazorla joined Arsenal from Málaga, but that is where the similarity ends between the two. While Cazorla immediately got the fans on his side and went onto become a first-team regular since signing in 2012, Monreal has struggled to crack into the first-team and has been the club’s second-choice for most of his career at Arsenal.

While Arsenal fans wouldn’t be happy to see Cazorla go, the addition of Alexis Sanchez to a midfield that already had the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere means that the Spanish international is likely to struggle to get too many opportunities in the first-team in the coming season. Although he signed a new contract in March, the Spanish international, who turns 30 this December is unlikely to figure prominently in the first-team barring injuries to several key players.

Having also spoken about a desire to move Atlético last month, Arsene Wenger might feel that the time is right to cash in on his playmaker. While the departure of Cazorla might not go down well with all the fans, Monreal’s departure is unlikely to give them too many sleepless nights.

Since signing for £8.3 million from Málaga in January last year, Monreal has never really managed to make his mark on the side. The departure of Gael Clichy in the summer of 2011, was supposed to Monreal’s big chance but the Spaniard fluffed his lines and eventually lost out to young Kieran Gibbs. With the Englishman likely to remain first-choice again this season, Monreal would be more than happy to go somewhere else in the search of first-team football.

Having already lost Fillipe Luis, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea, Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone is keen to bring in as many players to the Vincente Calderón as he possibly can, as he bids to reclaim the league title that his side won last season.

Although the club just signed Guilherme Siqueira from Granada, to replace Luis and are also interested in Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno, the availability of a proven performer in Monreal has made Simeone’s eyes turn in Arsenal’s direction. While Arsenal don’t want to sell either player, an attractive proposition by Atlético might just tempt the Gunners into letting both Spanish players leave the Emirates.

Comments

[Rik Shaw]

Cazorla would be a big loss, Monreal less so as he is more easily replaceable. Superficialy we seem well off for midfielders but given our injury history the options can soon disappear. To a large extent it depends on what other changes Wenger has in mind. I hear worrying stories about Wilshere taking the defensive midfield role- that's virtually guaranteed to get him injured before long! He needs to reduce the number of challenges he makes if he's to avoid prolonged periods out injured.