From BBC -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/21283085

ARSENAL LATEST

Spanish football expert Andy West from his Barcelona base: "A new signing from Spain in the offing for Arsenal...but it's not David Villa. Radio Marca are reporting that Malaga's Nacho Monreal has caught a flight to London to negotiate terms with the Gunners.

"The 26-year-old is Malaga's first choice left back and a full Spain international. Malaga don't want to sell but it appears their financial problems have forced them to accept an offer reported to be in the region of £8m."

Anyone know anything about him? Is he just another Santos?

Never heard of him but he's cup tied for Champions League.

It sounds like a done and a great deal. It's now on every transfer news website.
He has 9 caps for Spain, 26 years old and is playing in his second season for Malaga.
He and Gibbs for the left back spot is great. 2 quality players and with Santi and Arteta already at the club it will be easy to adapt for Monreal.
Hopefully we can sell Santos in the coming 5 hours and sign another striker.

WoW

Just saw the reports he is a good player and Gibbs will have a big challenge on his hands


I'm Stunned well done Mr Wenger

So he'll miss two games against Bayern- big deal.

I'm happy about this- he's supposed to be excellent. Not so happy with the conditions of the transfer- reactive last minute signing (smacks of bad preparation) but, hey, another good player at Arsenal

10m not to have Santos for 3 weeks. Good buisiness!

Finally! Wanger has finally found a backup for Gibbs.... albeit a year and a half late! Well... if a player getting injured gets Wanger to improve the squad then let's hope all of them pick up a knock. It's either this or he waits until we get humiliated on the pitch a la 8-2.

Anyway - I hear Dave Dorito is quite a good player.

Haha... I thought we didn't want to buy unhappy players from cash-strapped clubs?

Tough for Gibbs, he deserved to be #1 but his injury record is a concern.

Why the fuck haven't we bought more players like this already!

Sky sports reporting that Malaga say Arsenal deal was set for the summer. The player. Has been learning English prior to that move, but been brought forward due to Gibbs injury. Not a last minute choice, and a full Spanish international. Sky just eulogising his tackling.....

Its because Wanger is one stubborn idiot who truly believes his squad is exceptional. It took his team an 8-2 battering, home defeat to Liverpool, and a draw at home against Newcastle for him to realise that he needs to improve the squad on the last day of the window. He still believes Rosicky and Diaby are valuable members of the squad. And he has finally worked out that Gibbs is injury prone.

Money is there. It's just that the stubborn idiot thinks he is clever by not spending it.

This just about sums us up. I assume if giroud had got a knock last night we'd have gone for a striker. Know nothing about him hope he is good but its a typical knee jerk signing. If we needed another left back why wait 31 days. And dontvtell me weve been haggling over this all month.

Still.... There is hope. It took the stubborn idiot years to realise that Denilson Eboue Almunia were not cutting it at Arsenal. It's taken him much less time to realise Santos is not going to cut it so progress is being made. Mind.... has he realised Gervinho is shit?

Onwards and upwards - thanks to Gibbs injury it looks like Dave Dorito (who was meant to be signed in the summer) has now strengthened the squad which should help us retain the Virtual Trophy. Haven't seen him play, but the word is that he is a very good player. No doubt someone will post a YouTube clip of him

Their waxing lyrical about this guy on Sky Sports. Suppose to be around 6ft tall very strong and loves getting forward. Apparently a very very good player. If this happens feel for Gibbs but as mentioned before he has injury concerns holding him back.

Can't understand why anyone should 'feel' for Gibbs. If we are getting a player that is maybe even better than Gibbs (either in talent, fitness, or both) then this is absolutely great news. The team benefits as a result and this is paramount.

And example of where 'feeling' for a player is damaging to the squad is demonstrated by Mr Stubborn himself - he talks about Diaby being such a nice dedicated guy but despite him being injured for most of his 8 year arsenal career, Wenger 'feels' that he still deserves a chance.

That's a bit harsh. Gibbs has been one of our best players this season but now faces the prospect of being sidelined because Santos isn't a good enough back-up. He's signed up long term and has been sold on this new 'English Core' thing.., you have to feel for him. That's not to say this isn't the best thing for the team, however.

Two more players and we're in buisiness.

Don't get me wrong i'm more than happy if we sign this player and he turns out to be as good as everyone say's he is. Feel for Gibbs because he has more than proven he has the quality to be at Arsenal but for the lack of staying fit. A little harsh to compere him to Diaby.