Nacho Monreal turns 33 in February yet his biggest contribution this season has arguably been to show us how lacking we are in the fullback department by spending the last three weeks out injured. It’s felt like longer, huh?

Although he’s been on the verge of a comeback for the last three games, Arsenal have really suffered without him in the side and Sead Kolasinac, once one of the best fullbacks in the Bundesliga, has been found sorely lacking when he has been fit.

Monreal’s contract runs out in the summer and there’s no talk about this fan favourite getting a new deal. Clubs back in his homeland have been sniffing around and, if Unai Emery decides he wants a younger model to take that slot, then Nacho won’t have any shortage of offers.

What gives me hope is that Arsenal purchased Stephan Lichtsteiner to be an experienced role model as well as back-up for Hector Bellerin and that is a strategy I can get behind.

Either way, one of Monreal or Kolasinac is likely to leave in the summer to make way for a young whipper-snapper.