Arsene Wenger: '"Outstanding" Nacho Monreal deserves new contract'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that "outstanding" Nacho Monreal is deserving of his new contract as he has "improved" year on year.

The 29-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Malaga in 2013, is believed to be closing in on a new three-year deal.

"[Monreal's importance has been the] regularity of his performances, the fact that he has improved every year since he arrived," Wenger told reporters.

"He is not necessarily my first-choice left-back. At the moment he plays more than Kieran Gibbs but I think I'm a bit spoilt there because Gibbs has come back and has shown again on Saturday [that he plays] at a very, very strong level.

"That makes my decisions at that level very difficult but overall Nacho Monreal has been absolutely outstanding."

Meanwhile, Wenger has had his say on the Ballon d'Or by describing himself as a "big enemy" of the prize.