Nacho Monreal Warns Arsenal Against Signing Sandro Tonali

Nacho Monreal has urged Arsenal to think twice before plunging back into the market for Sandro Tonali, warning that a move for the Newcastle United midfielder could come at a heavy cost.

The former Arsenal left-back, speaking to Rekatochklart, praised Tonali in glowing terms, calling him “the best midfielder in the world.” Yet his admiration came with a clear red flag for his old club.

Arsenal, he pointed out, have already invested heavily in Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice, and Monreal believes the pair sit at the very top of the game in their position.

“They signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult,” Monreal said, highlighting the financial and tactical weight of that deal.

In his view, adding Tonali into a midfield that already includes Zubimendi and Rice would overload the squad in one area and force a painful decision.

“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot,” he explained, suggesting that if Arsenal genuinely push for Tonali, “they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice.”

For Monreal, that trade-off makes little sense. He described Zubimendi and Rice as “the two best defensive midfielders in the world,” a pairing he clearly sees as the foundation of Arsenal’s current project rather than pieces to be moved on for the sake of another marquee signing.

Tonali, currently with Newcastle and linked with several European clubs this summer, remains a name that excites supporters and sporting directors alike. Monreal’s message cuts through that noise: Arsenal might already have exactly what others are chasing.