Ahead of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League game against Sevilla on Tuesday, manager Mikel Arteta paid tribute to his friend and former team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes, who played for both clubs before his tragic death aged 35 in 2019.
Born a year apart, Arteta grew close to Reyes during their time together in the Spain Under-21s.
Reyes started his career with Sevilla before moving to Arsenal aged 21 in the middle of the Gunners’ famous “Invincibles” season in 2003/04, as they won the Premier League title without losing a game. He helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2005 and reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2006 before returning to Sevilla later in his career.
“I have great memories,” Arteta said Arsenal Official Website. “He was my roommate and we spent a lot of time together. He was a fantastic character with a very special personality and had incredible football talent.
“At that age, I can’t remember a better player than him, he had everything. He played for both clubs and is part of our history in a big way because he was also part of the Invincibles.
“I hope he’s up there doing both clubs proud [this] it will be a very special night for him.”
Arteta has overseen the development of another prodigious Arsenal star in Bucayo Saka, who has scored 35 goals and 29 assists in 143 Premier League appearances since Arteta’s arrival in 2019, even setting a club record earlier this season with his 83rd consecutive appearances in the Premier League.
This season the 22-year-old has taken on a new role in the club’s leadership team.
“I think it’s very important [for the young players to assume responsibility] because the role they have in the way we play, in our team and in our club should be reflected by the level of leadership they should have around the team to make it grow,” Arteta said.
“I think it’s been a perfect environment. We have a really good mix of players, teams and experience in this group and it will be valuable time to spend with these guys to understand what’s going on behind the scenes as well.”