Arsenal boss Unai Emery has talked about how he sought for the advice of the Watford manager before taking the Gunners’ managerial job last summer.
Unai Emery told reporters during his pre-match press thoughts ahead of the Watford game on Monday night that he called Hornets boss Javi Gracia before his appointment as the Arsenal boss at the start of the season.
Javi Gracia and Unai Emery enjoyed a close relationship while they were in the playing squad at Spanish La Liga club Real Sociedad and their friendship has continued after they ended their respective football careers.
Javi Gracia took over the Watford job in the last campaign shortly after current Everton boss Marco Silva was sacked while Unai Emery replaced legendary manager Arsene Wenger last summer.
Frenchman Wenger spent 22 years in the Arsenal dugout before he was replaced by Unai Emery last year.
Unai Emery has impressed a great deal since he became the Arsenal manager as he has led the Gunners to within three points of the Champions League places with two games at hand.
In addition, Unai Emery has masterminded the North Londoners’ run to the quarterfinals in the Europa League with a second leg meeting with Napoli scheduled for Naples on Thursday night with Arsenal leading 2-0 from the first leg.
