Reports from Spain suggest the club are looking to replace the departed Ander Herrera with Mikel Arteta.
The La Liga side are aware that Arsenal are looking to bolster their midfield and have been linked with the transfers of Sami Khedira, Morgan Schenierlin William Carvalho and Josuha Guilavogui this summer.
If any of these transfers materialise then Arteta will fall further down the pecking order to a point where the Spaniard may fel a move is in order.
Arteta has claimed that he is very happy with the Gunners but could be persuaded to join a Spanish side.
Last month Arteta said: “I can’t stop the rumours, but what I am certain is that I’m really happy here, I feel valued, I have been given a lot of responsibility and I like it.
“Until the club think something different about me, I’m happy. I had a conversation with the manager. He knows my opinion and we’re fine.”
Monreal could also see much more of a back-seat role as Gibbs is clearly preferred in the left-back position, however while Wenger would be keen to find a replacement for Monreal, Bilbao could still persuade the French boss to let the defender go before the end of the month.
By Phil Wellbrook
