When Nacho Monreal signed for Arsenal in 2013 he was brought in early due to a defensive injury crisis but the man known as ‘Cabra’ as a kid made himself a real cult hero with the Arsenal fans.

Arsenal's British striker Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match between CSKA Moscow and Arsenal at VEB Arena stadium in Moscow on April 12, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV
Arsenal’s British striker Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match between CSKA Moscow and Arsenal at VEB Arena stadium in Moscow on April 12, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV

251 appearances, 10 goals, 20 assists, three FA Cups.

That was Nacho at Arsenal.

Arriving in 2013 from Malaga for £9m, Monreal stayed with Arsenal for six years before he was sold to Real Sociedad at the end of the 2019 summer window for just £225k.

While at Arsenal, the defender spoke to the Arsenal matchday programme about a number of events from his life when he was just 10, revealing that he was known as ‘Cabra’ or, to put it in English, ‘Goat’.

When asked what he was called when he was 10, Nacho replied, “‘Cabra’ – it means goat. But don’t ask me why!”

He was also asked what ‘Arsenal’ meant to him when he had just reached double-digits, and he said, “I knew that Arsenal was one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, but at the time I focused more on the Spanish leagues.”

The urban dictionary states that ‘goat’ is slang for ‘Greatest of all time’. Let’s go with that.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: BBC Sport presenter Alex Scott is seen during the Vitality Women's FA Cup: Quarter Final match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Meadow Park on September 26, 2020 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Arsenal legend on fighting racism and finding love

Alex Scott opens up about overcoming online abuse, finding strength, and her supportive relationship with Jess Glynne. Get inspired.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Joe Willock of Newcastle United battles for possession with Emile Smith Rowe and Jorginho of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

2 former Gunners ruled out through injury, season over for 1

Former Gunners Rob Holding and Joe Willock have been ruled out for their respective clubs through injury, with Willock out for the season.
France's forward Marcus Thuram gestures during a press conference at the Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 24, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Inter Milan star thanks Arsenal legend after clinching Serie A title

Marcus Thuram has given special thanks to former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry after winning Serie A with Inter Milan on Monday night.
Nicolas Pepe with the Trabzonspor fans after his arrival at the airport (Photo via Trabzonspor on Twitter)

Arsenal flop wanted by Juventus

Ex-Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe struggles in Turkey, but Juventus and AC Milan could offer him a lifeline this summer.
MONTERREY, MEXICO: Marcelo Flores of Tigres celebrates after scoring the team’s fifth goal during the 16th round match between Tigres UANL and Necaxa as part of the Torneo Clausura 2024 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Ex-Arsenal academy 20yo scores first senior hat-trick

Former Gunner Marcelo Flores picked up a deserved Player of the Match award after three goals and an assist for Tigres on Saturday.