Arsenal were reportedly close to making a major addition to their backroom staff when Unai Emery arrived at the club in 2018.

The former Arsenal manager had wanted to bring Monchi with him to North London after the pair had built a highly successful relationship at Sevilla. However, the move ultimately fell through, with Monchi deciding to return to the Spanish club instead.

The revelation comes directly from Monchi, who has explained how close he was to joining Emery at Arsenal following his departure from Roma, reports alldaysport.net

Monchi was close to joining Arsenal

Monchi, whose real name is Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, became one of European football’s most respected sporting directors during his time at Sevilla.

His work at the Spanish club helped transform Sevilla into a regular force in European competitions, while his partnership with Emery proved particularly successful.

After leaving Sevilla for Roma, Monchi was approached by Emery following the Spaniard’s appointment as Arsenal manager.

According to Monchi, the two were already exchanging contracts and the move to London appeared close to completion.

However, everything changed when Sevilla president Pepe Castro contacted him.

“Once I had decided to leave Roma, Unai called me about going to Arsenal,” Monchi explained.

“I was on the verge of going.”

Monchi ultimately chose to return to Sevilla, a decision that meant the long-awaited reunion with Emery at Arsenal never happened.

Emery and Monchi eventually reunited at Aston Villa

Although their Arsenal partnership never materialised, the two eventually worked together again several years later at Aston Villa.

Emery joined Villa after rebuilding his reputation following his difficult spell in North London. Monchi later followed him to the Midlands, giving the pair another opportunity to work together.

Monchi has since described Emery as a different coach from the one he knew during their Sevilla days.

According to the sporting director, Emery’s approach had developed significantly, particularly when it came to preparation, tactical analysis and the use of video.

“He is always striving to improve,” Monchi said when discussing Emery’s evolution.

The Spaniard also highlighted Emery’s intense focus on football analysis and match preparation, describing him as a coach who has consistently achieved success throughout his career.

Arsenal’s 2018 rebuild could have looked very different

Emery took over from Arsene Wenger in 2018 after Wenger’s remarkable 22-year spell as Arsenal manager came to an end.

The Spaniard guided Arsenal to fifth place in his first Premier League season and reached the Europa League final, where the Gunners suffered a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.

His second season proved much more difficult, with Emery eventually leaving the club in November 2019.

The absence of Monchi from Arsenal’s recruitment structure was one of several factors surrounding the club’s transfer strategy during that period. The Spaniard instead returned to Sevilla, where he continued his work before eventually reconnecting with Emery at Aston Villa.

For Arsenal supporters, the story offers an interesting glimpse into how different the club’s post-Wenger era might have looked had Emery and Monchi been able to establish their successful Sevilla partnership in North London.

Monchi and Emery’s partnership continues at Villa

The pair’s eventual reunion at Aston Villa demonstrates how their professional relationship survived despite missing out on the original Arsenal opportunity.

Their history at Sevilla was built around identifying players with potential and helping them develop into high-level performers. That relationship has remained an important part of their football careers.

What began as a missed opportunity for Arsenal in 2018 eventually became another chapter of the Emery-Monchi partnership in England./Alldaysport.net/