Villarreal coach Unai Emery admits he offered Mikel Arteta the chance to buy his house as he was replaced by the Spaniard at Arsenal.
Arteta succeeded Emery at Emirates Stadium after the latter was sacked in November 2019 following a poor run of form.
The two are now set to go head to head on Thursday after Arsenal drew Villarreal, who Emery is managing, in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
“Well it was a common friend that interceded and he was okay to speak to me, had nothing against it and it was good for me too as I had to leave my home in London," said Emery. “Maybe the house would be interesting for him, so maybe he would be interested to see the house?
“So apart from talking about my job at Arsenal and football, I suggested he take over my house. Finally I think it was a player who took it in the end. It all came about via a common friend, he spoke to me and to him and the conversation was as a result of that.
“It was a private conversation but it's OK that it is public the fact that there was a call between him and me. We spoke a little bit about what I lived in Arsenal, in a positive way, as I experienced. I just told him about what I had lived through, as two working colleagues.
“Of course I knew Arteta before. He is from Donostia, just like me. We were practically neighbours so I have a lot of admiration for him as a footballer and now as a coach, working with [Pep] Guardiola and Arsenal.
“I just wanted to tell him about my experience there, where I lived when I was there, what I thought could b positive for him. Maybe I told him one or two things that could be improved in a naturalistic and personal way. All I feel for him is admiration."
