The new Messi
It’s been a season to remember for Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal but everyone has been speaking about him again during the Europa clash with Östersund.
The London side travelled to Sweden on Thursday in the hopes of taking a commanding lead back to London in their two-legged clash.
Though, the pressure was even higher for the players on the pitch with a number of big first-team stars missing.
Petr Cech, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny all stayed at home with injury while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was ineligible.
That left the goalscoring responsibilities to Danny Welbeck but even he didn’t need to break a sweat for the first goal.
That is because Nacho Monreal has only gone and done it again.
Nacho Monreal – The GOAT
The Spanish defender has found himself in a very rich vein of form over the past couple of months.
The player has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last six games and Arsenal fans simply cannot believe it.
Not only has his form been impressive, the form he showed before that just emphasised just how well he has been doing.
Before his 3 goals in the last 6, he had only scored 5 goals in the 195 appearances prior.
That has lead to some amazing suggestions on social media, with the players goalscoring being compared to some of the games best.
Though, what’s most important for the player is that his goal could go a long way to securing Arsenal’s spot in the next round of the Europa League.
The Gunners eventually went 2-0 up with Danny Welbeck having a shot that deflected in off a Östersund defender.
Not only that, Arsene Wenger’s side have looked completely in control for the first half bar a few blunders.
Safe to say, they are well on their way to Europa League glory, partly thanks to Nacho Monreal.
Twitter reacts to Monreal goal
We have to start talking seriously about Nacho Monreal as the best striker in the world
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) February 15, 2018
“Marcos Alonso is the best goalscoring defender in English football.”
Nacho Monreal: pic.twitter.com/wb95lVsiu3
— bet365 (@bet365) February 15, 2018
Goals this year…
– Monreal: 3
– Alli and Son combined: 3
– Giroud, Morata, Pedro and Willian combined: 1#OSTvAFC #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/WUDTdALebo
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) February 15, 2018
This isn’t even a joke anymore. You literally can’t be leaving Monreal unmarked in the box.
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) February 15, 2018
3 – Nacho Monreal has scored more away goals for Arsenal this season than any other player currently at the club (3 in all competitions). Omnipotent.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) February 15, 2018
Nacho Monreal has three goals and two assists in his last six appearances. Melè pic.twitter.com/uD1N4dgtNO
— Lacazettes (@Lacazettes) February 15, 2018
Alexis Sanchez really was holding Nacho Monreal back
— Iman | ايمان (@nana_alaouie) February 15, 2018
Nacho Monreal is better than your striker
— Angela (@AngelaTsaturian) February 15, 2018
Hahaha, Monreal is an unreal goalscorer.
— GoonerGordo2 (@GoonerGordo2) February 15, 2018
MONREAL going to be our Top Scorer at this rate
— Shaheen Ashraf (@topgooner100) February 15, 2018
Monreal’s scored more goals this season than the much improved Oxlade Chamberlain. But that’s none of my business
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) February 15, 2018