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Daily Mirror

NACHO MAN: WHAT ARSENAL FANS CAN EXPECT FROM MALAGA DEFENDER NACHO MONREAL.

The arsenal has added to his team on the left side, Nacho Monreal
He is 26-years-old, he is a solid man. He has been in the legue for many years.

Rumours of his destination had swirled for many years, with the big guns like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia all being linked.

Monreal came through the ranks as a genuine full-back, unlike many Spaniards these days who end up being converted from a winger.

Decisive in the tackle, he also possesses good speed to allow himself margin for recovery as well as burst upfield.

This season he's grown to be an even more important component in Malaga's system, offering more of an attacking presence than ever before.

He received his first cap for Spain in 2009 and was seen as Joan Capdevila's replacement at left-back, until the incredible development of Jordi Alba in Spanish football.
He has remained a regular in the Spanish squad however, and will continue to do so if he maintains his recent form.

Nacho began learning English last summer so will have basic knowledge, but most of all he'll arrive with an appetite to compete.

In summary, we're looking at a classic Mr Dependable, the sort who are undervalued but should perhaps be more appreciated.  Some might suggest that's exactly the sort of player Arsenal need.

Boston Herald

OSASUNA BEATS LEVANTE.

Late goals by Masoud Soleimani and Enrique Sola gave Osasuna a 2-0 away win against Levante in the Spanish league on Monday.

Soleimani unleashed an unstoppable shot from within the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Kaylor Navas in the 88th minute.

Sola struck another powerful shot past Navas in the fourth minute of injury time after receiving the ball from Francisco Punal.

Levante midfielder Papakouli Diop left the field on a stretcher in the 57th after clashing heads in an aerial challenge with Emiliano Armenteros, whose header went over the crossbar.

Levante is 10th in the standings, six points ahead of 14th-place Osasuna. Leader Barcelona is 12 ahead of second-place Atletico Madrid.

The guardian

CRISTIANO RONALDO CAN LEAD REAL MADRID PAST UNITED.

The Real Madrid captain, Iker Casillas, has said Cristiano Ronaldo is in the perfect form to lead his side past Manchester United in the Champions League.

"Cristiano is vital for us. Right now he's in sensational form and gives us his maximum," he said. "We have a 1-1 draw from the first leg against United and we have to score and keep a clean sheet.

Progressing through to the Copa del Rey final will be a huge relief to Madrid, whose hopes of silverware this season had looked in some doubt with their Champions League bid hanging in the balance and their La Liga title defence in tatters. Madrid are currently 16 points adrift of Barça in La Liga, with the Catalan club also boasting a 12-point lead over second-placed Atlético Madrid with 13 games to go.


The league may be lost, but Casillas is determined not to go down without a fight over the closing months of the season. "Hopefully this is a turning point to have won this tie and to make it better it was against Barcelona," said Casillas. "We played a very good tie all round and this will motivate us to make a good showing of ourselves in other matches. Winning the Champions League is a better possibility than the league, but Real Madrid will fight to the end."

José Mourinho's men can cut into Barça's advantage this weekend when they face their arch rivals once again at the Bernabéu. Casillas expects Barça to be out for revenge, but has warned Tito Vilanova's men Madrid will be up for the game as well.