Monreal: I need Arsenal games to boost Spain World Cup hopes

Nacho Monreal is convinced moving to Arsenal has boosted his chances or earning a regular place in the Spain side.

And the defender says he hopes he can gain more game time with the Gunners to help him fulfil his dream of playing in next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Of his Samba tournament hopes, he said: “I’m aware that it’s not going to be easy, also partly because I’m not getting as many minutes as I would like with Arsenal. I’m going to continue fighting and working hard because I really want to be at the World Cup.”

Defender Monreal, 27, switched from Malaga to the Gunners on transfer deadline day in January and has subsequently had his profile raised even though he has been used mainly as a substitute.

Even so the left-back reckons that being at the Emirates has helped his cause of nailing down a spot in the star-studded international team.

Former Osasuna star Monreal has already totted up 15 caps for his country and he is desperate to gain more.

He said: “I think I have more chance of playing for Spain since the move to London. I was at Malaga for 18 months and I grew a lot as a player. The move to the Premier League is a jump in quality and a jump forward. I think being part of a team like Arsenal helps.”

Monreal is doing something right because has started two of Spain’s previous three matches. Now he wants the nod from Spain chief Vicente Del Bosque in the forthcoming friendly matches against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

Culled from Arsenalinside