Former Arsenal favourite Nacho Monreal has opened up about the young talents at the Emirates he was certain would graduate to become first-team mainstays, only to see their careers take unexpected turns.
The Promising Trio Who Didn't Quite Make It
The Spanish defender, who enjoyed an eight-year spell in North London winning three FA Cups under Arsene Wenger, now works as an agent. This role keeps him closely connected to emerging talent, like current Arsenal prospect Max Dowman. However, reflecting on his time as a player, Monreal admits his predictions for three specific youngsters were off the mark.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, the ex-Gunner highlighted the cases of Matteo Guendouzi, Chuba Akpom, and Ignasi Miquel as players who possessed the quality but ultimately didn't establish themselves as long-term Arsenal stars.
Matteo Guendouzi: Right Player, Wrong Time
Monreal was particularly impressed by French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who arrived from Lorient in 2018 and made an immediate impact. "He was a really good number six who ran a lot, and was very good with the ball," Monreal recalled.
Guendouzi made 48 appearances in his debut season, showcasing his potential. However, his fortunes changed with the arrival of manager Mikel Arteta. Monreal believes the midfielder's downfall was a case of unfortunate timing, arriving during a turbulent period for the club. "He came in at a really difficult moment for the football club, when you look back," he stated.
Chuba Akpom: A Training Ground Phenomenon
The second name on Monreal's list is striker Chuba Akpom, currently on loan at Ipswich Town from Ajax. Akpom, who was named the Championship's best player during his time at Middlesbrough, clearly had ability, but Monreal "expected a bit more from him" given his early promise.
"When he came up from the reserves, I think we all saw something special in this guy," Monreal explained. "He was tall, he was fast, and even though he was so young and playing with some huge names, it all just looked so easy to him." Despite this natural ease in training, a consistent breakthrough at the highest level with Arsenal eluded him.
Ignasi Miquel: The Surprising Departure
The final player mentioned is perhaps the least remembered of the three: Spanish defender Ignasi Miquel. Miquel managed 14 first-team appearances for Arsenal but never cemented a regular place. He now plays in Spain's second tier with Leganes.
Monreal expressed his surprise at Miquel's failure to breakthrough, citing his strong defensive attributes. "I thought, 'OK, if he’s not going to have a career here, he’ll find another club at a high level', because he was aggressive, he was strong, he was good with the ball," said the former left-back.
The Unpredictable Path of Youth Development
Monreal's reflections underscore the unpredictable nature of youth development in top-level football. While Arsenal have a famed history of nurturing talent, these three cases demonstrate that raw talent observed in training does not always translate to sustained success at the very highest level.
Factors such as timing, managerial changes, and personal development all play crucial roles in determining whether a promising youngster becomes a club legend or seeks success elsewhere. Monreal's insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the players' lounge view of potential that, for various reasons, remained unfulfilled in North London.
