Nacho Monreal is probably one of Arsenal’s greatest new commitments in January – and the fans owe it to Santi Cazorla.
The Spaniard moved to the Emirates for around £ 10 million from Malaga for around £ 10 million.
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He changed to the Gunners just a few months after Cazorla had made the same change from the Laliga team.
Monreal was originally obliged to compete with Kieran Gibbs, but quickly became popular with the Arsenal supporters.
Within two years he was the first choice under Arsene Wenger-from the FA-Cup final victory in 2015 via Aston Villa.
It was one of three FA Cups that the retired 38-year-old won in northern London-in addition to three community of Shield, which he won where he played a role with every win.
But things could have ended very differently for MONREAL if Cazorla had not convinced him to take part in a phone call on the deadline.
Twelve years ago, only a few Arsenal fans had heard of the player, and the interest in the defender was surprising for everyone.
However, nobody was more shocked than Monreal himself, who revealed that he had only found out that Arsenal really wanted to sign him after the missed calls to woke up from Cazorla.
In 2015 he said: “I remember January 31, when I woke up, looked at my cell phone and had two [missed] Calls from Santi.
“And I found it really strange that Santi called me in the morning.
“So I called him:” Santi, how are you? “What happened? ‘
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“”[He replied] Nacho, do you want to come to Arsenal? ‘
“”[I replied] What do you forgive? Yes, of course.’ So the transfer went really quickly.
“In one day I trained with Malaga in the morning and knew nothing, and then I signed my contract at Arsenal ten hours later.
“It was a really strange day for me, of course very happy, a good day for me.”
In his first interview with Arsenal.com after moving from Spain, Monreal spoke about what Cazorla said to persuade him to change.
He noticed: “Yes, I spoke to Santi, we had a long conversation about things. I asked what it was here and he only had very positive things to say.
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“He said Arsenal was a huge club, people are great and it was really just a big family. He only had good to say.
“I am sure that we can be successful this season and I am really looking forward to the challenge.
“Since there is a well -known face in Santi, I tackle things much more relaxed. It is a good feeling to have shared the changing room with someone who has already had this trip behind.
“Now it’s my turn and can’t wait to step into his footsteps.”
Monreal not only became a cult hero like Cazorla, but was also more successful in Arsenal than his compatriot – he stayed for a year and played 71 more games across competition.
Towards the end of his Arsenal career, he acted as a left-back in a triple chain and thus underlined his versatility and his will to work.
After six and a half years in the north of London, he decided in August 2019 to return to Spain and to join Real Sociedad.
There he played alongside the future Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, who switched to the club last summer.
He also played alongside midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who, according to Talksport, is about to move to Arsenal at the end of the season.
But Monreal will always be remembered for his time at Arsenal.
And although he came to the club as a relatively unknown size, he left a lasting legacy at his former place of activity.