Arsenal manager Unai Emery is one of the best managers in the world, according to Watford head coach Javi Gracia.

The Hornets' boss knows Emery from their time playing together at Real Sociedad and have clashed as opponents as both players and managers since.

However, Gracia thinks that despite their similar paths into coaching, the two are not so alike.

"We have a good relationship from that moment we played together in Real Sociedad many many years ago," he said.

"In different teams we've played against each other and as managers as well, and always we have a good relationship.

"Now in this moment, we've been having dinner together and he’s a good friend and it’s good to see him again, we are very close.

"We spent in the past some time together and I think we had the same experiences and maybe that experience helped us for this moment, but I think we have different roles as both players and as a coach.

"In my opinion Unai is one of the best coaches in the world not only in England."

The two will go head to head again on Monday evening, with Gracia's side having been rested since last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

Arsenal by comparison played on Thursday evening in the Europa League and will do so again just three nights after the game at Vicarage Road, but Gracia does not think it will necessarily give his side an advantage.

He said: "I don’t know if its an advantage for us if they change players.

"They didn’t play players like Iwobi, Mhikataryan and Mustafi on Thursday and they can play with other players.

"I'm sure they can keep their level."