Arteta’s Arsenal ended up comfortable 4-0 winners at Vitality Stadium, following goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Ben White. A lot of the build-up to the fixture in the national press and on social media focused on Iraola and Arteta’s shared footballing past, the pair playing in the same Antiguoko team in their native Basque country.
Aside from a single game together for Spain’s under-21s, it was the last time the pair crossed paths, prior to this summer’s meeting of all Premier League managers.
Asked about the reunion following the game, Iraola responded: “Once the game starts, you forgot about these things.
“You focus on the sporting side. I congratulated him and I will just talk to him right now as soon as I finish.
“But during the game at the end, you forget about these things and then you can complete it.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is also from the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, as well as ex-Wolves manager Julien Lopetegui, who left the Premier League this summer.
