Monreal: "Pellegrini is the best coach I've worked under"

Posted Thursday, May 23, 2013 by Marca.com

Monreal:

Having joined Arsenal in the January transfer window, Nacho Monreal has taken to the Premier League like a fish to water, bolstering his status in the Spain squad in the process.

Speaking about his new surroundings, Monreal claimed that "Arsène Wenger is Arsenal's linchpin. Everything goes through him. He's a motivator. He gave me confidence by putting me in the team as soon as I arrived".

The Gunners full-back also had words of praise for his former manager, Manuel Pellegrini, who has been linked with Manchester City. "He's the best coach I've worked under, the one who taught me the most. He knows everything there is to know. It's a shame that the project is falling apart. I hope [Málaga owner] Sheikh Al-Thani reconsiders, because the people there deserve better".

After commenting that "the grounds are always full in the Premier League", Monreal picked out Jack Wilshere as one of the players who has impressed him the most. "He's so young, but it's as if he'd been around forever".

Another is Gareth Bale, about whom the ex-Málaga ace said: "Bale has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. He's tall, strong and strikes the ball really well. He was named player of the season this year and he's the reason Tottenham was in the running for the Champions League until right to the end. The Spanish media have linked him with Real Madrid or Barcelona, but I don't see it. Spurs will do everything they can to keep him".