English Premier League
Top Five Premier League Left-backs 2015/16 feat. Arsenal and West Ham stars
The last position in defence to be covered in this series of articles by The Boot Room is left-back. Of the five players proposed below, who will make it into the Premier League Team of the Season? Let us know your thoughts by completing the poll at the end and see if your choice makes it into the final eleven come the end of the campaign.
Nacho Monreal
The Spanish international hardly sent shockwaves through the Premier League when he arrived at The Emirates from Malaga in January 2013, but since then, Nacho Monreal has arguably been one of the most improved players in the top flight, and almost certainly Arsenal’s best developed squad member. Monreal is not blessed with terrific pace, great strength, or a particularly good delivery, but what he has done better than most this season is work impeccably well with what talents he does possess.
Arguably Arsenal’s star man; Alexis Sanchez, has a great understanding with Nacho Monreal that has been built up over a multitude of matches now. The Spaniard is keenly aware of when to overlap and when do leave space for the Chilean to plough his own furrow. Monreal is a solid defender with good tactical understanding, and knows when it is the right time to tuck in behind his neighbouring centre-half and cover. Throughout the 2015/16 campaign, he was firmly first-choice ahead of Kieran Gibbs, restricting the England man to cameo roles in midfield towards the end of the ninety minutes. Arsenal’s number 17 is by no means one of their more extravagant players, but his impact on the side’s success is clear nonetheless.
