Nacho Monreal will sign for Real Sociedad on a two-year contract with an option for one extra if they can agree the final details with Arsenal, according to reports.

Marca report that despite starting in the opening games of Arsenal’s Premier League season, Monreal is set to return to Spain in the coming days.

Real Sociedad are planning to give Monreal a contract to 2021, with an option for a third season if the left-back plays the minimum number of matches in the 2020/21 season. Arsenal will receive a modest transfer fee if the deal goes through.

Long term, the transfer makes sense. Arsenal have Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac in the left-back position, so holding onto a 33-year-old isn’t the best idea if they can get some money for him.

On the other hand, in the short term, the team could have some problems if Monreal leaves.

Tierney isn’t expected back until October, and Arsenal have six fixtures scheduled in September. Kolasinac certainly can’t play them all, and Zech Medley is currently injured as well, so he can’t fill in. After a good pre-season, Dominic Thompson left for Brentford.

That leaves Tolaji Bola as the next in line. He’s certainly waited long enough for a chance, at 20 years old. He also played very well on Friday against the Everton u23s, so on form, he’s deserving of an opportunity as well.

It doesn’t seem like Unai Emery has a huge amount of faith in Bola though. He has called him up for first-team training a few times, but not nearly as often as Thompson or Medley, despite Bola being the more senior of the three.

Maybe that’s set to change, but personally, I’d need to see the evidence that Arsenal are willing to bank on Bola filling the position.