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Arsenal unveiled new signing Nacho Monreal on the same day that manager Arsene Wenger revealed fellow left back Kieran Gibbs will be out for up to eight weeks.
The Frenchman is likely to field the error-prone Andre Santos when German giants Bayern Munich visit for their Champions League clash on February 19.
The Arsenal boss said Gibbs' latest injury setback forced the club's £8.5million purchase of Monreal from Malaga on transfer deadline day, with under-fire Santos currently the only fit Arsenal left back.
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In the mix: Nacho Monreal joins Andrey Arsahvin in training this afternoon after his unveiling
Spanish connection: Monreal (right) walks out to training with Mikel Arteta (centre) and Frenchman Abou Diaby (left)
Settling in: Monreal appeared to enjoy his first session with Arsenal
Wenger said: 'We had a blow with the Gibbs injury, which is a bit longer than expected. We expected (it to be) two to three weeks (but) it will be four to six, so we were in a position where we had to make a quick decision. That explains our buy.
'We bought Monreal as well because we believe he can integrate our style of play and adapt very quickly to that. He has the characteristics to play our game because he is very mobile, he has a good left foot and is very good in combination play. It is of course vital in our style of play.
'I believe we need two left backs. You cannot play every single game with the same player. We had two before, we have two again now.
Ineligible: Nacho Monreal is unable to play in the Champions League clash with Bayern
Looking up: Wenger drafted in Monreal from Malaga on deadline day
'If Gibbs is out for four to six weeks, from six it can easily go to eight (before he is competitive again) and that means two months in a very decisive period. It’s vital to have another left back.'
Gibbs will almost certainly miss Arsenal's Champions League home tie against Bayern and will struggle to regain fitness in time for the return leg in Germany on March 13.
Loss: Kieran Gibbs limped off the pitch against Liverpool
Stand-in: Andre Santos is likely to deputise in Gibbs' place against Bayern Munich
Monreal is cup-tied for Arsenal's European games after playing for Malaga earlier in the competition, so Wenger will be forced to field Santos or, more likely, move captain Thomas Vermaelen to left back.
The Arsenal boss insisted Monreal's move to the Emirates did not mean the end of Santos' career at the club and argued widespread criticism of the player was unfair.
Wenger said: 'Honestly, I believe that Kieran Gibbs will be out for the Champions League because we are only three weeks away from Bayern now. I don’t think he will be available. But Vermaelen can play there. Santos could have a key role as well, yes.
'Does Santos have a future at this club? Yes, why not? Maybe people speak that he had a difficult game but he lacks competition.
Tormentors? Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery (right) will be hoping to run riot against Santos
Pulling the strings: Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) will hope to dictate the tempo against Arsenal
'He is a style of player who need competition because he is not a nervous type of player, he is a stamina type of player and get sharper through competition.
'If you analyse his performance, you will be less critical. The first critics after the game are always a bit emotional because you have one or two big mistakes in your mind and we are all the same on that front. But when you watch the games again, you will see that he has done some good things.'
Wenger will make a decision today on whether Monreal, 26, will feature on Saturday against Stoke City, but said Mikel Arteta could return after missing nearly a month of action with a calf strain.
Vermaelen, however, is a slight doubt after picking up an ankle injury.
VIDEO Arsene Wenger talks about his last minute buy
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2271797/Nacho-Monreal-unveiled-Arsenal--PICTURED.html#ixzz2JgDOLwep
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