Monchi's missed Arsenal move fuels lingering tension with Unai Emery
Monchi, the former Sevilla goalkeeper turned Director of Football, was on the brink of joining Arsenal in North London, but a call from his old club kept him in Spain, a decision that later sparked friction with Unai Emery, the Gunners’ Basque manager.
Arsenal’s near signing and Emery’s early challenges
Arsenal very nearly signed Monchi, one of Unai Emery’s most trusted generals, alongside bringing the Basque to the club in 2018. Emery had taken the Gunners’ job after club legend Arsene Wenger departed following twenty‑two years in charge.
In his first campaign the Gunners finished fifth and were beaten 4‑1 in the Europa League final, a disappointment that left the club flailing. The loss underscored the challenge Emery faced in reviving a side accustomed to Wenger’s long reign.
Monchi’s decision and its repercussions
Monchi began as Sevilla’s goalkeeper before becoming Director of Football in 2000, a role in which he helped the club capture seven Europa League titles. He and Emery forged a partnership that produced three consecutive Europa triumphs, built on a formula of spotting untapped talent and developing them into stars.
Monchi told Mucho Deporte, via a Sport Witness report, that after deciding to leave Roma in 2018 Unai called him about moving to Arsenal. “I was on the verge of going,” he recalled, “but Pepe Castro of Sevilla rang and I couldn’t say no.”
He admitted the episode caused a bit of friction with Unai, who had been excited about the move. Nonetheless, Monchi said he is “incredibly grateful” for his second spell at Sevilla, despite describing those four years as difficult and complicated.
Emery’s tenure ended when he was sacked in November of his second season, with recruitment largely overseen by Raul Sanlehhi and Sven Mislintat during his first Premier League stint. Both Sanlehhi and Mislintat later joined Aston Villa, where Emery now manages.
Arsenal have since found success under another Basque, Mikel Arteta, who steadied the Gunners after Emery’s departure. His appointment restored stability and saw the club climb back into European contention.
Emery rebounded by winning a fourth Europa League title with Villarreal and repeated the feat in the Midlands with Aston Villa, where Monchi linked up with him once more.
Reflecting on Unai, Monchi said the coach he knew in Sevilla is “nothing like the Unai I’ve come to know in Birmingham”, praising his inquisitiveness and video‑analysis obsession. Arsenal now prepare to face Leeds United when Premier League action resumes after the international break.