The 33-year-old was let go by Arsenal in the summer and has rejoined former side Villarreal
18:20, 11 Sep 2018Updated 18:53, 11 Sep 2018
Santi Cazorla has revealed Unai Emery called him in the summer to get inside information on Arsenal .
Despite the pair not knowing each other, the Gunners boss clearly felt he could contact his countryman for advice ahead of starting his role in north London.
The Spanish midfielder, who was let go by Arsenal in the summer and rejoined former club Villarreal, revealed some of what he told Emery in quotes that didn't make his wide-ranging interview with The Guardian .
According to the 33-year-old, he informed Emery of things that needed to change at the club following Arsene Wenger's departure.
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Arsene Wenger with Santi Cazorla during an Arsenal training session in 2014(Image: Stuart MacFarlane)
"I didn’t know him but in the summer [Emery] called me to find out about the team and the club, for a bit more info," he revealed .
"It’s normal to speak to someone who has been inside for their view. I told him what I thought: the things that he had to change and the things he had to reinforce.
Unai Emery phoned Cazorla for inside information(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images))
Cazorla is back at Villarreal(Image: SIPA USA)
"I can’t say that [what they were]. That’s a secret. But I was clear, direct: I said that it was an incredible club, that had everything it needed to win, but that there were things that had to change. I said it would be hard to change some of them.
"Arsene was there for 23 years and changing 23 years overnight … it needs time. It’s an opportunity for [Emery] to take a club like Arsenal and try to make them champions which is what I want and what all Gunners want. I think they have chosen well."