Nacho Monreal's Warning on Arsenal's Pursuit of Sandro Tonali

Nacho Monreal has urged Arsenal to think twice before plunging into the race for Sandro Tonali, warning that signing 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 caveat: Arsenal’s midfield is already stacked with elite talent, and Monreal believes adding Tonali would almost certainly trigger a major sale.

Arsenal moved aggressively in the market last year, bringing in Martín Zubimendi for a hefty fee to play alongside Declan Rice at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s side. That double pivot has quickly become the backbone of a team built on control, intensity, and territorial dominance.

Monreal doesn’t see how Tonali fits into that picture without serious consequences.

“If Arsenal buys Tonali, they will get the best midfielder in the world,” he said. “But they signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult.”

The numbers behind those deals and the demands of squad balance sit at the heart of his warning. Three heavyweight defensive midfielders, all in their prime, all expecting to start, would stretch even a title-chasing squad’s structure.

“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot,” Monreal continued. “So I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice if they really want Tonali. In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world.”

Tonali, currently at Newcastle United, has been linked with Arsenal and several leading European clubs this summer. His profile – combative, technically sharp, and comfortable dictating tempo – fits the modern superclub template. On pure ability, Monreal is in no doubt: Tonali is elite.

But his message to Arsenal is blunt. In a market where every big signing forces a trade-off, chasing another marquee midfielder could mean breaking up what he sees as the finest defensive pairing in the game.

Arsenal’s ambition is clear. The question Monreal poses is just as clear: how much are they willing to disturb a midfield he already considers close to perfect?