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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to Spanish publication Marca, Nacho Monreal will sign for Real Sociedad before the end of the European transfer window.

What's the word?

Considering the arrival of Kieran Tierney at the Emirates Stadium this summer it's hardly a surprise to see one of Arsenal's left-back options linked with a switch away from the club.

That just so happens to be Monreal who despite not securing a move during the British transfer window, could still leave with the market currently open for other clubs across the continent.

Marca claims that the Spaniard will sign for Real Sociedad on a two-year contract and that an agreement with Arsenal is now very advanced.

However, it would seem a questionable decision from the Gunners to allow this switch to go through.

Arsenal can't sell now

At the age of 33, Monreal's time at Arsenal is understandably coming to an end and with Sead Kolasinac waiting in the wings, it's not a great surprise to see he's the more likely of the two to leave.

Yet this isn't something the Gunners can afford to do at the moment.

Why? Because their other two left backs are far from set.

The fact of the matter is that they could leave themselves slim on the ground in terms of options during the first part of the season.

For the time being Tierney is out with an injury and won't return until October at the earliest because of a groin issue.

Kolasinac's role in the side is far from certain either. He was left out on the opening weekend because of the club taking precautionary measures over his and Mesut Ozil's security.

Therefore, Monreal feels like the only fit choice at the moment and they'd be making a considerable error by letting the 5 foot 11 defender to leave now.

If Tierney returns to full fitness in a few months time then moving on the Spain international during the January transfer window seems like a far better option.

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