Arsenal open talks with Nacho Monreal over new three-year deal

Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Nacho Monreal regarding a new contract after the defender eclipsed Kieran Gibbs to being Arsene Wenger's preferred choice at left-back, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spanish defender is the current first-choice for the Gunners and the manager is keen to tie him down to a new deal, after the Daily Telegraph reported that the defender was close to completing a move to Athletic Bilbao this summer.

Monreal, who still has two years to run on his current contract, will be offered a new three-year deal keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2018. The Spanish left-back had an impressive 2014/15 campaign making an impressive 39 appearances in all competitions.

Apart from playing at left-back, the former Malaga defender also covered at centre-back with some assured performances during the absence of Laurent Koscielny through injury.

The report claims that talks between the club and the player's representatives are underway and the north London club are hopeful of tying up the deal sooner rather than later.

Monreal will become the third Arsenal player to agree a new deal this summer, following in the footsteps of Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott, who extended their deals with the club for two and four years respectively.

Meanwhile, the Spanish international left-back has called on the team to give a proper response when Arsenal face Crystal Palace on Sunday (16 August) after a disappointing opening weekend in the Premier League.

The 12-time FA Cup champions lost their opening league encounter to West Ham United, and face another tough test when they travel across London to face Alan Pardew's men at Selhurst Park.

"We have played many times against them away from home and we have won each time but we know they are a difficult team," Monreal told Arsenal's official site.

"They have really good players who are physically hard. We know it will be a difficult game but after losing our first match, we must win."

"We have to play like we know how. If every player gives 100 per cent then I think we will have many options to win the game," the Spaniard added.

"Obviously we have to make a perfect game from the first minute to the last and if we do that, I think we will win."