Unai Emery revealed he has met Arsene Wenger just once since replacing him as Arsenal boss – but hopes in time the pair will have lunch together to share their experiences.
The chance meeting came at September’s Best Fifa Football Awards in London, just four months after Emery succeeded Wenger following his 22-year tenure in north London.
Emery claimed that both men initially found the transition difficult – Wenger spoke last week about how Arsenal are still “in my heart” after so long at the helm and he still lives in his Totteridge home a short drive from the club’s London Colney training base.
And the Spaniard said: “The one time I did meet with him was because we met at the Best Fifa Football Awards gala in London in September and we spoke together for five minutes.
“He knows now better than everybody here what is going on at Arsenal. He has the best information!
“I have had information here at the club indirectly about what he thinks. Also, one day my brother said to me, ‘I met him walking close to my home!’
“I spoke sometimes with people here about one day having him back, but it is better with time because it is not easy for him after he left and it was not easy for me at the beginning.
“Maybe given time. Maybe one day we will have a coffee or get lunch together. But I think we need time.”
