Arsenal manager Unai Emery was coy when asked whether Nacho Monreal could leave the club before the end of the month. Reports in Spain suggest Real Sociedad have agreed a deal to sign the 33-year-old and when asked about the rumour, the Gunners boss did not completely rule it out:

“He made a very big match, [a] very big match, and he’s a very big professional for us. It’s one issue, we need to speak the next days because in Europe the transfer window isn’t finished yet. But we are going to speak about all the situation, the possibility.”

“It’s the reason I was speaking about it’s not normal we close the window two weeks ago, but in Europe, it doesn’t finish until next week. Because the squad is not completely closed for us at the moment.”

“It can leave some players. But we cannot sign another. And it depends a little [on] the next days how we can decide about some circumstance with some players.”

Monreal started against Liverpool in the 3-1 loss yesterday evening and has actually played the full 90 minutes in all of Arsenal’s matches so far this season.

Even so, the arrival of Kieran Tierney from Celtic for £25m earlier this month means Monreal’s game time could be limited in the coming months once the Scottish international returns from a groin injury.

With Sead Kolasinac also at the club to provide cover, Monreal may be allowed to leave, despite the fact he is one of the club’s most senior players. He has been named by Emery as one of three captains for the season, along with Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil.