Ex-Arsenal favourite Nacho Monreal happy he quit Gunners last summer and insists he has no regrets over joining Sociedad
EX-ARSENAL defender Nacho Monreal has insisted that he made the right decision to leave the club last August.
The Spaniard had started the first three matches of the season under Unai Emery.
On Deadline Day, however, he opted to return to his native Basque Country - signing for Real Sociedad to bring his six-and-a-half year spell in North London to a close.
And speaking to Spanish daily today, Monreal, 34, believes that he made the correct call to leave the Emirates.
He said: "The truth is yes. It was a difficult decision because I loved the competition, I was in a good moment and I had the confidence of the coach and the club.
"I still had opportunities to play, but after many months, things are now going well at Real [Sociedad]. We have a good team and I do not regret my decision."
Indeed, Monreal has made 25 appearances, as Real Sociedad sit in a respectable sixth-position, although their hunt for a top-four spot may be in jeopardy of fizzling out if they fail to win this evening.
That will be a tough ask, however, as they host title-chasing Real Madrid.
A victory would see Monreal and Co move to within two points of fourth-placed Sevilla, with eight games remaining.
As for old club Arsenal, a Champions League spot looks even more unlikely after yesterday's damaging loss to Brighton.
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The Gunners had led with 20 minutes remaining courtesy of a sumptuous strike from Nicolas Pepe.
But following Lewis Dunk's scrappy equaliser, Neal Maupay struck deep into stoppage time to condemn Mikel Arteta's side to defeat.
The result leaves Arsenal tenth - six points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.
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And after the game, Maupay accused the North Londoners of lacking "humility".
He said: "Some of Arsenal’s players need to learn humility, maybe sometimes.
"They have been talking a lot first half, second half when they were 1-0 up. They got what they deserved."