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Unai Emery sent Valencia player to sleep, says Dani Parejo

Emery is a "very good coach who's done incredible things", says Parejo, ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final vs Arsenal

Unai Emery
Image: Unai Emery signed Dani Parejo for Valencia in 2011

Dani Parejo says "heavy-going" Unai Emery sent one of his Valencia team-mates to sleep during a 25-minute meeting while in charge at the club.

Emery, the Arsenal head coach, signed Parejo for Valencia in 2011 and is described by the midfielder, who had an unsuccessful loan stint at QPR in 2008, as a "very good coach who's done incredible things".

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Arsenal in Spain, Valencia captain Parejo recalled what life is like working under Emery in an interview with the Guardian.

 during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and  Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Mestalla on August 20, 2018 in Valencia, Spain.
Image: Dani Parejo has spent eight years at Valencia

He said: "They say coaches are a little different, and he's a perfectionist: there's a lot of work, a lot of videos, talks, and it's true players can get tired of it, that he's a bit pesado, heavy-going.

"When you get an outline of the opponents it helps, of course, but a footballer's attention - anybody's attention - can wane if it goes on for 20, 25 minutes.

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