The highlight of the Puma home kit launch for this fossil was the opportunity to spend some time with a handful of my blogging peers in the company of Nacho Monreal. I was warned he might not be the most forthcoming of interviewees so what transpired was a pleasant surprise.
The informal setting may have helped. As we joined him in a box in the south east corner of the stadium he smiled and welcomed everybody in with a warm handshake. As we got underway it is clear that he talks with his eyes, and with his expressions, as much as his voice.
I had planned to get the first question in to put him at ease and to let him know he was among friends, not hardened pros looking for that controversial soundbite that would come back to haunt him. Clearly I didn’t need to bother, but asked anyway about his start to last season playing in the centre of the defence and if that had contributed to his improved form at left back.
He was quick to point out that he had never played as a centre-back before, then laughed and adopted glazed eyes as he admitted, “I was scared. I was like, ‘Are you (Arsene Wenger) speaking seriously?‘” A friendly audience laughed with him. He had put us at ease!
He went on to expand on that spell, and made the case for those ten matches in the centre making him fully match fit so when Laurent Koscielny returned he was able to slot back into his left-back berth fully prepared. “I am a player who needs to play every single game. Two seasons ago, it wasn’t like that.”
There is no doubt that Nacho has contributed much to our improved performances in the big away games this season. Using the examples of the trips to Manchester he made his point about continuity once more. “I was playing well. In these moments I think the most important thing is not to change the team. If I’m playing I need to keep playing. If Kieran Gibbo is playing, he has to play. It’s like that. It’s not good to change one or two players just for one game.”
Mention of United away in the FA Cup brings a glint to his eye and another broad smile. That goal? He told us it was all about his control of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s pass and raised chuckles of appreciation for adding that after that it was too easy. Self-deprecating, he added, “I am a player who does not score too many goals in my career. So when I score I go crazy“, and again we all share a laugh.
Of the second half of the season he revealed something that has been apparent at Shenley, but is rarely mentioned. “After Christmas the team was really strong. For me the most important thing was the atmosphere in the group. It was completely different from the beginning of the season and from the last season.” Additionally, of course, we had key players coming back around that time. “What more? Well, I think the best players finished the season fit; like Santi, like Mesut and Alexis. Obviously when these players are fit it gives confidence to the team.”
I put it to Nacho that Francis Coquelin made something of a difference too. He puffed out his cheeks, gave a ‘matter of fact’ stare, and agreed. “I think he was the best thing for the club! This is football. He’s a player who was playing for Charlton in the Championship. He came back, but not to play, just to be on the bench, maybe. After, for me he was the best player. I think he will be a very important player for Arsenal next season. He was amazing.”
Naturally the subject turned to our prospects for the coming season. The answer comes from a first-team player, but sounds like a supporter on social media. There is little noticeable difference in the diagnosis. “We need, I think, two things. First keep going like we finished, we need to keep the level. The other thing, I think if the club signed one or two top players. We need a player who scores 25 goals per season. We need more goals to win the Premier League.”
That desire for new players begs a question about competition, and indeed Nacho’s own relationship with ‘Gibbo’, as he calls him. “It’s good. It’s not the best, but it’s good. For me he’s a really good player, but he’s also a very good person. Obviously he’s my ‘opponent’. We’re fighting for the same thing. I don’t speak a lot with him, firstly because of the language. It’s difficult for me speaking English…I feel limited, and also because he plays in my position! But for me, I consider him a friend. If I can help him, I do it of course. I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about the team. For me the most important thing is the team. If you tell me I play and the team loses, or he plays and the team wins I say, ‘He plays and we win.’ For me the most important thing is the team.”
I felt compelled to correct Nacho as we wound things up, assuring him that his English is much better than my Spanish. For a little over twenty minutes he was charming, informative, funny, and I think pleased to have drawn this particular group of interviewers for the evening. Next up for him was the improvised ‘catwalk’ as he paraded in the new kit. One I hope he will be seen in a lot more in the coming twelve months.
Thank you Puma and Arsenal, but most of all, thank you Nacho.
66 Responses to “So Nacho!”
Top fella.
Get in.
You are indeed, bath. Well played! 😉
Nice one ‘Holic – sounds like all parties enjoyed the interview!
For what it’s worth, Nacho was my 2nd place in the Player of the Season votes. He was consistently good, not just contributing to our excellent 2nd half of the season as most players did, but he was one of the few lynchpins in our otherwise underwhelming 1st half of the campaign. To me, he’s also totally nailed the LB spot. He’s more reliable in defence than Gibbs, and offers more variety and guile going forward. Gibbs, for all his pace, has become a bit inhibited and one-dimensional…
Good piece ‘H. Nacho sounds like a nice guy, here’s hoping he continues to enjoy his time with Arsenal and adds to is medal collection.
COYG
The whole launch show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZKtFltKjxU
Superb again Maestro.
Nacho – one of the understated heroes to emerge last season. The season been funny in that respect – some of the people who have impressed the most were the ones nobody thought of at the start of the season.
Interesting, Holic.
He did a very underrated job at centre back and is undoubtedly our best left back.
Good to hear so much direct from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. And it sounds as if he agrees with much of the consensus view in this bar. But did you ask him what he thinks of Tottenham…. 🙂
It must make for a strange working environment to be in direct competition every day with one other person for your job. There can’t be many other trades or professions where that is true. You might compete for a promotion or to win a client or to get a part, but once you’ve done that you get to do the job. Not so for a footballer.
A lovely piece, many thanks for this Holic , an interview we can trust.
I agree with Trev that he established himself as our best left back and is a solid option as our fourth centre back. He had a very good Cup Final and was consistent throughout the second half of the season.
It doesn’t surprise me that he comes across as a nice lad. He creates exactly that impression when you see him with his team mates on and off the pitch.
Another excellent value buy from Wenger like Paulista , Koscielny and Debuchy. And of course the BFG!
Great interview. The excerpts were out on arseblog as well .
Always liked Nacho. Technically accomplished and tactically intelligent, had added that extra bit of physicality and close marking that you need in PL to be a top defender.
Worth noting that Arsenal’s entire first choice back line as well as the defensive bench — excluding injured Debuchy — were acquired at a price comparable to what City paid for Mangala alone. 🙂
El Nacho.
El Coronel.
Viva!
‘Holic, you certainly got the better end of the deal interviewing Nacho. He comes across as a happy individual who takes his work seriously nonetheless. Like many, I thought he grew into his role as an emergency CB and this appeared to enhance his competency when reverting to LB…another “left-field” masterly decision from the boss ( albeit with limited options elsewhere ).
He, along with other players are all hoping we sign another 2 top class players to solidify our prospects for an overdue EPL win next season …..here’s hoping the club manage to do this – getting excited at the prospects already!
Nacho knows and he is an important player in the team. Between Nacho, Coq and Hector nobody knew what hit ’em last season. Well spoken gentleman too, especially considering he is speaking in a foreign language. Loved it when he asked Wenger if he was speaking seriously when he asked him to play center back. 🙂
great article, interview, and player. you are a lucky man, holic, to have your hard work on your blog pay off so handsomely.
what scruz said
So Nacho!
I like it! 🙂
Hello All.
I have been away from internet connection for the last week or so. I have just completed a backdrink which probably tells me all I need to know. So thanks everyone!
Cheers H, for the kit launch and Nacho pieces. It sounds fun all round. And it is good to hear him talk about the spirit in the group. That is a great thing to have.
And cheers Snowy, lovely post (although I am with TABS about the necessary vodka content of any hangover cure that claims to shift a broken compass).
And Diaby could have been SOME player. All the best to him now. That game against Liverpool is one of the best midfield performances I have ever seen- and the man was held together by sellotape and old string. I suppose now is the time to stop imagining what a fully fit Diaby could have done and be glad of the games we did see him play. A double on the bar for Abou if he pops in!
Last Wednesday I did the skydive! Having confirmed my landing to the bar I then left the land of the internet. Until today.
So… it was bloody scary but it is a pretty exhilarating thing to do and once I was safely on the ground again it seemed fair to say that it was fun. Just not the way I would normally describe fun. Or the sort of fun I would want to have often. In fact, the sort of fun that after you have had it you are not sure if you ever want to have it again. Yeah, in that sense, it was really FUN!
The response from Holic and Holics has been unbelievable, fantastic! Just Wow!
I won’t write thousands of words on what a great bunch you all are (although I’m sure I could find them) but I offer my sincerest thanks. The support CHAOS has got through so many incredibly generous people here is a tangible marker of the good that can come from our waffle in this place. It may not change the world (who knows?) but it will definitely put some smiles on some kids’ faces, and I think that is pretty amazing.
So thanks H, you’re a good man. Thanks everyone who has got involved, you’re all stars. And thanks to everyone who has so much as had a good thought for this whole daft endeavour! I am truly grateful to you all, and indeed, to anyone who is a part of this site in any way. I am proud to say that I am.
The moment you have all been waiting for is here… I have managed to upload the video for your viewing pleasure! Just scroll down the page and click play to see a scared man dressed daftly do his thing. I hope you bloody enjoy watching it!…
http://www.everyclick.com/dinoskydive
And drinks on the bar for the lot of you. Go on, it’s Friday, you can start early…
Excellent Interview!
Top Man!
😀
Wow what an excellent experience GSD!
Well done!
Brilliant interview and a top man. He comes across as being so down to earth and someone who values what he does. For me one of the best performers of the season. If not for coquelin, he would be my choice of the most improved player of the season. Nailed down first choice left back and one of the telling factors of Sanchez having a great season as well had to be nacho and bellerin’s defensive work.
Cech confirmed by all except Arsenal.com and hence i refuse to believe. Desperate to see him come for i always believe that a greak gk saves you 10 points in a season and that matters the most in the end.
Kondogbia to Milan the latest news could mean another of our dm options gone though Sven Bender news picking up. Why bother when we can and should get Schneiderlin.
good man yerself gsd
good fella good cause
wild horses couldn’t drag me
into or outta that plane
like me they like
god’s good green grass
an the standing on it
fair play to ye !
GSD, not sure which was the more priceless, your look of terror before the jump or that of relief once you’d got back to terra firma…
But props for doing it at all.
GSD, Good thing it is over and you are in one piece!
Many years ago I jumped out of a plane as a result of peer pressure from the guys in my college dormitory who were all young and foolish as was I. Some of them said it was fun. 😉
jeez 8ball
was it beer pressure ?
*chuckles*
you guys , you
🙂
what ned said at 23… well in, gsd.
nope
high up
low down
splat
like joggers
why run ?
when you aren’t carrying a big stick
and
nobody’s chasing you with a bigger stick they haven’t either
walk
yer knees’ll thank ye for it
GSD- Top man and well done with the fundraising.
Good to have you back
Gold is probably right in that West Ham will fill the Olympic Stadium for some of their matches but 99% sounds like a slightly optimistic figure. Away fans traveling to London derbies will be the club’s financial boon but that will still only account for 4 or 5 of their 19 home matches. Large numbers of empty seats at the other matches will not help create a good atmosphere by any means.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33169500
It will be sad to see the end of Upton Park, and at least as hard for the Hammers to adjust to their new stadium as it was for Arsenal.
@ cba
What I wouldn’t do for a beer.
And for that matter,
What I won’t do for a beer …
🙂
8ball
amongst other places
i lived in upton park
well
round the corner from the tube
day to day life ordinary
no bother – liked there
“local” support in
nightmare
lairy shower o bigots
pick a target any target
shame
i was there for charging through the midfield
fuckin mighty
we got in car
headed highbury
🙂 :):):):) 🙂
bottomless beer for 8ball
richly deserved
and
sponsored today by the good corporation of Lars
but what do i know
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r8DAme8kRak
aren’t the most influential band of all time
Well done, GSD !
Off to have a look at the video now.
cba,
Aye, West Ham were a nasty mob. I was on the end of some very nasty treatment there once. A cup win – we were standing on their North Bank and when we scored we just, for a split second, went to celebrate before we remembered where we were. Too late – you can imagine the rest.
Some of them caught a couple of Arsenal fans on the tube after the game at Plaistow. Massive delays – train taken out of service – got back to Arnos Grove at nearly half past midnight.
trev
yup
cunts
got a beatin
for bein a paddy
got a beatin fer bein a gooner
same time
turds
i was just going home on me own
scumbags
happiest time of my life – LONDON
.
loved it
.
was there for ages
.
love it
.
marvellous place
can’t wait to get back over
i am a polite person
and
trackin down those pansy cunts
is only a severe obsession
.
Good Christ, this US Open course looks like the mini putt at our park.
I hate footballess months 🙁
Nacho is a top bloke by the way.
yup
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r8DAme8kRak
still are
where it came from
as much as gooner johny and his constant companion deny
ooooohhhhh
*too busy comparing clown trousers*
.
da brudders
shit over everyone
1 2 3 4
cam on johny boy
admit ye knocked the end of
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vGOEUo_sLxY
off fer the start of
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rIAZ8unRm2c
thieving fecker 🙂
oops
am i gonna getta visit
from Yves St le Midget
can’t wait
matching clothes
matching hair do
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l2xOw-VXe_g
public image’s new single
best in ages 😉
cba @32
Almost sounds like an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies.
😉
if me granny was still alive then
i would have so much not asked her
to sit armchair breezy atop my vehicle
bearing in mind
I do not have a vehicle
but
it was a glorious evening
and
slabs o beer were tethered atop
no room below
.
Yup
time for sleep
cheerio
rumours of my drinking habits are grossly exaggerated
strawberry daiquiri at births deaths and bonfire nights
abstemious me
🙁
sorry ‘hol
fer throwin up half me life story in the back of yer blog
*pays clean-up charge and skulks off for a hearty talk with self*
🙁
‘Holics, if you get a chance watch the Chile-Bolivia match from yesterday, especially the first 45 minutes. It was an ordinary Bolivia team, but Chile played some of the most scintillating football…Alexis started despite some talks of minor strains etc. and played for 45 minutes. He was understandably quieter compared to his all-action style but still hit a couple of sublime free-kicks against the post before scoring a great goal with a diving header. The start of the show was Valdivia in a traditional playmaker role…
Got to love this Chile team. Hope they win it this time.
@50: “…the star of the show…”
Well-written tribute to DB10’s wonder goal by Alan Smith
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/19/golden-goal-dennis-bergkamp-arsenal-newcastle-2002
Well done GSD.
I did a sky jump about 10 years ago.
Its one of those things you have to experience…..ONCE…in your life 🙂
The divine Dennis, my for ever favourite player. Watching the W/Cup and Newcastle goals bring tears to my eyes, would the lovely Hector light up future seasons for me at THOF in the same way. Dare I have his name put on my new shirt, memories of the Nasri fiasco are still fresh in my mind and pocket!
I’m sure TPIG will stay on even if Cech is signed, Home Grown players are at a premium, Ospina will therefore be sacrificed?
The Chavs and City need to keep their sights off our Home Grown talent, they need to start looking at their own academies for potential. Jack, the Ox and Jenks are Gooners, hands -off I say!
Tennis is keeping me going at present, had a great day at Queens on Tuesday. Just wish the weather would buck up in this area ,it’s been anything but Summer so far this June. You can bet when we all get back at the Ems there will be a heat wave and a hose pipe ban, happy days.
Cheers for the kind ones.
I am looking forwards to joining Joe and 8ball in the ‘I did it once but never again’ section. Matron!
“I’m with Jack Wilshere!”
Very interesting transcript of the meeting between Ivan Gazidis, Ian Wright Wright, Wright and Supporter Club representatives over on Arseblog News.
With your permission, Guvna:
http://news.arseblog.com/2015/06/ivan-gazidis-ian-wright-arsenal-supporter-qa-full-transcript/#comment-696460
Delia,
Hear Hear let the clubs who boast of the strength of their academies but never play anybody from them , give their own players a chance . Interesting how the homegrown rule is working. It looks as if Chavski will sign a Cameroonian player ( Song) who is well below their aspirational standard simply because they have not developed their own homegrown talent. Serves them right. While I like Song he is not going to strengthen the Chelsea squad. Nor is Robert Green if Cech leaves!
My heart bleeds for them
I see The Man Who Killed Diaby is crying his eyes out over the death of his own career, following his destruction of Diaby’s, and claims he is haunted by the tackle every day.
Fuck off, TMWKD, and enjoy your promotion from call centre worker to CCTV salesman. In Australia.
Cynic,
Spot-on. Sad that a newspaper saw fit to let him plead his ( non) case.
Thanks for the link, bath, that’s an excellent read.
TTG – It was in The Daily Heil, so not really sure it counts as a newspaper 😉
Cynic
It’s a printed bog roll but less interesting ( and accurate to read). I have a friend whose wife has been door stepped by a Daily Mail reporter several times because of rumours he has been having an affair. Nice people.
TTG@ 57 — Proves again that as a club how we are tend to be ahead of the curve, more meticulous and long-term in our planning.
Song & Cesc both in Chelsea? Someone should pass on Denilson’s phone number to Mourinho as well. 🙂
GSD @ 55: I can highly recommend parasailing if you want to taste a little bit of that adrenaline back again without having to feel the terror at the beginning.
Delia @ 54: And what Gooners Jack and Ox will turn out to be! The two best English talents in a long time. Jack is more visible now but once Ox stays fit for a season and starts playing regularly he will become one of those players that you cannot defend against.
GSD – just watched the vid. Hats off Geezer! Great effort.
I’ve watched it too. What a great experience. Cheers GSD. >>>>>>