Nacho MonreOWL: Arsenal defender celebrates getting off to Premier League flyer by chilling out with an owl

  • Nacho Monreal celebrated Arsenal's win against Leicester by posing with an owl
  • Monreal played the whole duration of the 4-3 victory at the Emirates Stadium
  • The 31-year-old even gave the bird a name, captioning the picture 'with Oli' 
  • Arsenal face Stoke on Saturday and the Spaniard is expected to start in defence

Nacho Monreal enjoyed a soaraway Sunday by chilling out with an owl after Arsenal got their Premier League season off to a flyer.

The 31-year-old did not hit the busy clubs of North London, nor did he take a leaf out of Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata's book by spending some quality time with his wife. 

Instead, rather bizarrely, Monreal chose to hang out with an owl and posed for the cameras as he held the bird before posting it on his official Instagram account. 

Nacho Monreal celebrated Arsenal's Premier League opening win by hanging out with an owl

Nacho Monreal celebrated Arsenal's Premier League opening win by hanging out with an owl

The 31-year-old played the whole game in the centre of defence in the victory over Leicester

The 31-year-old played the whole game in the centre of defence in the victory over Leicester

He even gave his new friend a name, captioning the picture 'With Oli'. 


Arsenal claimed a dramatic 4-3 victory over Leicester on Friday at the Emirates Stadium and Monreal played the whole game.  

Many felt he could have been pushed out of Arsenal's defence following the arrival of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke.

But the Spaniard has demonstrated his versatility by adapting his game to play in the centre of defence and is becoming a prime figure for Arsene Wenger's side. 

The Spaniard is naturally a left back but Arsene Wenger is using him to play at centre back

The Spaniard is naturally a left back but Arsene Wenger is using him to play at centre back

Monreal, naturally a left back, has slotted rather nicely into Arsenal's system and despite shipping three goals against Leicester, Wenger seems set to utilise him this season from centre back. 

But unlike his new feathery friend Oli, Monreal will need to make sure he's fully awake for Arsenal's late afternoon away tie at Stoke on Saturday as they will want to avoid conceding more goals.