Monreal: I'm sad Arsenal didn't take forward step they're supposed to this year

Nacho Monreal could hardly have expected a better return to life in Spanish football, with his Real Sociedad team defying all domestic expectations, and he himself having played every single minute of their season.

Q: With all due respect to the Premier League, did you miss playing in stadiums like the Bernabeu?

A: Yes, without a doubt. I hadn't played there for seven years and it is one of the most beautiful stadiums to play in. With Arsenal I played at the Camp Nou and Mestalla, but never in the Bernabeu so I was excited.

Q: They seem to miss you at the Emirates, what do you make of their current crisis and the dismissal of Unai Emery?

A: I don't know if they remember me much or not, but things aren't going as they thought. I want to be optimistic, because I know what potential is there, but I am sad they didn't take the forward step they were supposed to take this year. I had a very close relationship with Unai, and when you have that you want to see him succeed and achieve his goals.