Gunners sign Monreal from Malaga

Arsenal left it late but managed to get a signing in before the transfer window shut, securing defender Ignacio "Nacho" Monreal from Malaga on a long-term contract. The Gunners announced the move on their official website just as the deadline approached, saying they had paid an undisclosed fee for the 26-year-old. The Spainish left-back arrives at the Emirates at a perfect time for manager Arsene Wenger, who last night lost Kieran Gibbs for three weeks with a thigh injury. "We are delighted that Nacho Monreal has agreed to join us. We have been monitoring him for some time now and are really pleased that we've been able to agree this move today," Wenger said. "Monreal is a strong left-sided defender with good experience at both (the) club and international level." "He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air. Monreal will add quality to our squad and of course, to our defensive unit. We all look forward to him playing for us," added Wenger. The deal remains subject to the completion of what the club describe as a formal registration process, but does represent an unusual move from Wenger. He has rarely dealt so close to the deadline, but the injury suffered by Gibbs last night seems to have forced his hand. Monreal, a former Osasuna academy graduate, signed for Malaga for £6m in 2011 after making an impression with his hometown club, for whom he made 127 appearances. He made his debut for Spain in a 2009 friendly against Macedonia and has gone on to win nine caps for the his country. From FIFA