Emery sent Valencia star to sleep during tactical meeting - Dani Parejo

Ahead of a Europa League showdown with Arsenal, the Spanish midfielder praised his former boss before offering an insight into his managerial approach

Unai Emery sent ex-Valencia defender Miguel Brito to sleep during a tactical meeting while in charge at the Mestalla, according to Dani Parejo.

Arsenal have arrived in Spain for a huge Europa League semi-final second leg showdown on Thursday, boasting a 3-1 lead from the reverse fixture.

An Alexandre Lacazette brace and a late Pierre Emerick Aubameyang effort put the Gunners in pole position to qualify for the final, but Mouctar Diakhaby's early strike gave Valencia a crucial away goal.

Emery is pitting his wits against the club he managed between 2008 and 2012, which was his first major role as a head coach.

And ahead of the return leg, Valencia star Parejo described the Spanish coach as a "very good coach who's done incredible things", but also recalled an incident which underlined his meticulous approach behind the scenes.

The 30-year-old claims a drawn-out meeting between the club's squad and Emery at their training ground left Miguel Brito in a deep slumber, as he told TheGuardian: "They say coaches are a little different, and he's a perfectionist: there's a lot of work, a lot of videos, talks, and its true players can get tired of it, that he's a bit 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.

"Miguel Brito fell asleep during a talk one day."

Arsenal will likely have to win the Europa League outright to qualify for next season's Champions League, after a disappointing domestic campaign.

Emery's first year at Emirates Stadium has garnered mixed results, with his side currently occupying fifth place in the Premier League table.