Monreal: Calls for His Sacking Left Wenger in Great Pain During His Final Days at Arsenal; He Couldn’t Find Joy Even in Victories

Recently, former Arsenal player Nacho Monreal gave an interview to Camel Live. The Spaniard discussed various topics and experiences from his time at Arsenal.

On Wenger’s Departure from Arsenal

“Wenger’s farewell to the club was undoubtedly a sad moment for us, because I knew deep down he was going through immense torment and pain. Before he was dismissed, there was a severe divide among the fanbase—this situation was simply unbelievable.”

“Looking back on my days as a player, one side of the stadium hung ‘Wenger Out’ banners, while the other side displayed ‘Wenger In’ signs. This was an extremely tough time for me as a player, especially at a club I should have seen as a family, yet the fans were so divided.”

“I still remember running into Wenger at the training ground. He was under enormous pressure and suffering. He was already a slim man, but one day when I saw him, I could clearly tell he had lost even more weight. Even when we won games, he couldn’t find joy in it, because the atmosphere throughout the club was far too oppressive.”

“So when things deteriorated to this extent, we players all sensed that an official announcement would come soon. When that day finally arrived, even though we were mentally prepared, everyone was still shocked. Thinking about the drastic changes that would soon hit the club, each of us was caught off guard. After all, we’re talking about someone who held the final say on almost every decision at the club—this would undoubtedly be a complete overhaul.”

“He was in charge of player signings, contract negotiations, pre-season preparation plans—almost everything… truly everything. While he had a few assistants, the final decision always rested with him. Back then, no one could predict what the future would hold.”

“Of course, the club faced even greater challenges afterward, but I have always believed I gave my all for the team. I knew I wasn’t the best player in the squad, and I understood my role and position… I like to think I was a very consistent player, someone who could maintain their level even in difficult times. So when the top stars in the team shone in some games but underperformed in others, I believe my performances were always steady and reliable.”

On Arteta Becoming Arsenal’s Manager

“I wasn’t surprised at all when Mikel Arteta became Arsenal’s head coach. When I joined Arsenal in 2013, Arteta was already at the club. He wasn’t the captain back then, but he was one of the more experienced players in the dressing room. From the very start, you could tell he was always talking passionately about football—and that’s when you could tell he would become a coach someday.”

“Of course, you can never know in advance how good someone will be at their job. But in my opinion, there’s no doubt that he has now established himself among the world’s top coaches—easily one of the three best in the world.”

“I still remember during my playing days, Santi Cazorla and I once took our families to Arteta’s house for dinner. When we arrived, we saw him sitting in front of the TV with a notebook and pen in hand, meticulously jotting down every detail of the match. We couldn’t help but ask him: ‘Mikel, what are you doing?’ Even back then, he was quietly preparing for this phase of his career.”

“Towards the later stages of his playing career, injuries started to plague him frequently—and I think that’s when he really began to seriously plan his future as a coach.”

“He often told me what I could do better on the pitch or where I needed to improve. You could clearly feel he always had a plan in mind. He would tell us exactly where he wanted us to position ourselves and how to play. I would often joke with him: ‘Mikel, you can’t be everywhere at once,’ but he would still do his best to try. This isn’t a coincidence—just look at what he’s achieving now; it’s exactly like that.”

“Look at where he is now. Under his management, Arsenal has become one of the best clubs in the world. He not only has a chance to lead the team to the Premier League title but is also a strong contender for the Champions League trophy. All these achievements are thanks to Arteta.”