'I cannot continue': Former Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal forced to retire from football

Former Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has announced his retirement from professional football after a knee injury kept him out of action last season.

Monreal made 251 appearances for the Gunners before signing a two-year deal with LaLiga side Real Sociedad in 2019.

The 36-year-old went on to made 69 appearances over two seasons with the Spanish giants before sustaining a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2021-2022 campaign.

Sociedad made the decision to release Monreal in May 2022 and the Spanish defender decided to hang up his boots as a result.

He took to social media to announce his decision to retire - claiming he 'cannot continue' because of his knee.

'36 years playing football. 16 as a professional. Squeezing my body and taking it to limits that I would never have imagined,' Monreal wrote.

'My knee sends me a message… loud and clear; I cannot continue! Do I get mad? NO! I listen to it and accept the situation and thank it for everything.

'A stage is over. Another starts. I'm happy and feeling good. One more time… I FEEL GOOD!!! And that gives me peace of mind.

'Life is a gift and I like to be grateful. Thank you @caosasuna @rfef @malagacf @arsenal @realsociedad for letting me cross your paths.

'What a good years….'

Several players have reached out to Monreal, offering their former team-mate messages of support following his announcement.

Hector Bellerin, who played alongside Monreal at Arsenal, took to social media to say: 'Congrats on the career and the person you are bro'.

Real Sociedad's Aritz Elustondo added: 'What a pleasure it was to share the locker room with you.'

Meanwhile Sociedad's official social media account wrote: 'Proud that you wore our shirt. Good luck in your new stage!!'.

Former Osasuna teammates Kike Sola and Roberto Torres also took to Instagram to congratulate Monreal on his career.

Monreal started off his professional career at Osasuna, making 142 appearances before joining Malaga in 2011.

Monreal - who was 26 at the time - made 142 appearances for Malaga and won seven caps for Spain before transferring to Arsenal in 2013 for around £8.5million.

During his time with the Premier League side - who won three FA Cups. During his career he also won the Copa del Rey with Sociedad in 2020 and featured in the 2018 World Cup.