Nacho Monreal, left, of Arsenal is chased by Alan Hutton of Aston Villa during the FA Cup final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Nacho Monreal, left, of Arsenal is chased by Alan Hutton of Aston Villa during the FA Cup final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive RShow more

Nacho Monreal says ‘I would like to stay at Arsenal’ despite transfer interest from Athletic Bilbao



DUBAI // Nacho Monreal, the Arsenal defender, says the club are “one or two” summer signings away from becoming Premier League contenders next season – and he wants to stay to be a part of it.

The Spanish full-back has one year left on his contract at the north London club and is reportedly attracting interest from Athletic Bilbao.

On Tuesday in Dubai, though, Monreal said he hopes to have an extended stay at the Emirates Stadium.

“I have one more year on my contract and I would like to stay at Arsenal,” said Monreal, who travelled to the UAE with the FA Cup trophy his side won at the weekend to make a guest appearance at Dubai’s Arsenal Soccer Schools.

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“I am very lucky to play for Arsenal, I am very happy playing and I would like to stay longer.

“We are in contact with the club because my main intention is to stay in Arsenal. I hope I can extend my stay for more years.”

Monreal was part of the side who beat Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley on Saturday.

He says a second successive cup win can help fuel a title push in the league next season, so long as they are active in the transfer market this summer.

“It was a very good moment for Arsenal to win the second FA Cup in a row. It was an amazing feeling for everyone,” said the 29-year-old left-back. “Hopefully it will help in the fight for other things like the Premier League and the Champions League.

“We know it is really difficult to compete because there are other good teams in the Premier League, but we will fight.

“We are a good team with amazing players at this moment but, obviously, if we are going to fight for the Premier League I can imagine this summer the club need to bring in one or two top players.

“We will be stronger and have more chance to fight for the Premier League.”

pradley@thenational.ae

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE


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