• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
"I love the kid..." - Arteta set for emotional reunion when Arsenal take on Sporting Lisbon

Home> Football

Updated 14:17 24 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 14:20 24 Feb 2023 GMT

"I love the kid..." - Arteta set for emotional reunion when Arsenal take on Sporting Lisbon

Arsenal could face a former Gunners star when they take on Sporting Lisbon.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is set for an emotional reunion with a former Gunners star when he takes his side to face Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League round of 16.

Arsenal, as group winners, were drawn against the unseeded Sporting in the round of 16 on Friday morning.

It will be just the fifth and sixth time the two teams have faced off in their histories, having battled each other twice in the 1969/70 and 2018/19 seasons.

Advert

The Gunners face three Premier League matches before their trip to Portugal, as they hope to extend their two-point advantage at the top of the table.

Once those games are complete, however, Arsenal will then focus fully on their upcoming Europa League assignment - and there will be a reunion involved for Arteta.

Mikel Arteta set for Arsenal reunion

Arteta will be reunited with former Gunners star Hector Bellerin, with the pair having played together at the Emirates Stadium between 2012 and 2016.

Bellerin came through the club's academy and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2012. He remained in north London for a further 10 years until departing for Barcelona.

Advert

The Spain international established himself as a key player towards the end of Arsene Wenger's reign, and became renowned for his offensive abilities and incredible pace.

But an ACL injury suffered in January 2019 derailed his progress, and Bellerin struggled to recapture his previous form after his return.

He now plays for Sporting, having been signed in January as a replacement for Tottenham-bound Pedro Porro. Still only 27, Bellerin will now hope to beat his former club over two legs.

Speaking about the defender after his move to Barcelona, former Gunners midfielder Arteta said: "He called me really late last night and it was more of a conversation that we used to have when we were teammates and really good friends.

Advert

"If you take away the coaching and player situation a little bit, I get back into that relationship as well.

"I love the kid, I love what he's done for the club. He's someone that I have really strong feelings about and I wish him all the best because I know that it's one of his dreams to play there [Barca].

"Hopefully he can fulfil his dream and get his career back to where he can because he's still very young and has a lot he can do."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Premier League, Arsenal, Europa League, Mikel Arteta, Hector Bellerin, Sporting CP

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

25 mins ago
27 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 25 mins ago

    What Cristiano Ronaldo told Diogo Jota's family ahead of funeral as Portugal captain's absence explained

    The Portugal captain decided not to attend the funeral on Saturday.

    Football
  • 27 mins ago

    Bayern vs PSG Club World Cup clash stopped after horrific Jamal Musiala injury as players visibly upset

    Bayern Munich are in action against Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Roy Keane's former teammate opens up on 'confusing' incident which cost ex-Man Utd captain £12,000

    The legendary former Old Trafford skipper parted with way more cash for an item than he initially thought.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Marcus Rashford breaks his silence after Man Utd brutally hand number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha

    Marcus Rashford has seen his Manchester United squad number taken away.

    Football
  • Sporting CP issue statement on Viktor Gyokeres return as 'deadline' set for transfer
  • Ex-Man Utd star who was 'knocked out by Roy Keane' after defeat now set to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
  • Viktor Gyokeres bombshell drops as Sporting striker 'reaches verbal agreement' with his next club
  • Sporting president releases Viktor Gyokeres statement and reveals 'new minimum price tag' for Arsenal and Man Utd target