Monchi reveals he nearly joined Arsenal before committing to Aston Villa project

Monchi has revealed he came close to leaving Aston Villa to reunite with Unai Emery at Arsenal, according to Birmingham Live. The sporting director reportedly pulled out of the prospective move, a decision the publication claims caused friction between him and the Villa manager.

The comments surface during an extended international break that has seen ten members of Emery's squad leave Bodymoor Heath for national team duty. Villa return to Premier League action against Brentford at Villa Park on Saturday 10 October, looking to extend the momentum built through successive victories over Coventry City in the League Cup and Tottenham Hotspur in the league.

Birmingham Live has also assessed the club's summer recruitment drive, during which ten new players were signed. The overhaul followed the departure of several key figures who had featured in the side that reached the Europa League final last season.

Among those arrivals, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is singled out for particular praise. Signed from Parma for a reported £30 million, the Japanese international has been described as a revelation in his opening weeks, stepping into the role vacated by Emiliano Martínez's departure to Chelsea.

Other notable summer additions include Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Matteo Ruggeri, Leon Goretzka, Alejandro Garnacho, João Gomes, Ibrahim Mbaye, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson, all of whom have been factored into the outlet's grading of the window.

Villa's business was shaped by substantial outgoing traffic. Alongside Martínez, players including Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lewis Dobbin, Leon Bailey, Evann Guessand and Donyell Malen all left the club before the window closed on 1 September.

Emery now faces the task of integrating a heavily refreshed squad once the international players return. With no further Premier League signings possible until the January 2027 window opens, the current group will need to carry the club through the autumn schedule.