Mikel Arteta welcomed back one of Arsenal’s former academy prospects to the Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of this evening’s clash against Atletico Madrid
Mikel Arteta has shown his true colours ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. In the Gunners’ final training session before the highly anticipated match, he got in Tyreece John-Jules to train with the first team.
The former Arsenal striker, who left the Emirates Stadium last summer after 15 years, reunited with some familiar faces at the Sobha Realty Centre on Monday afternoon. In 2020, John-Jules made the bench when the north Londoners defeated Liverpool in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
After impressing Freddie Ljungberg in training, he got his first taste of senior football in January, joining Lincoln City on loan. John-Jules went on to enjoy loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Derby County before being let go by Arsenal following the end of his contract in June 2024.
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John-Jules caught the eye of Crawley Town, and he joined the West Sussex-based outfit on a free. Last season, he played 27 times across all competitions, providing just one assist.
The former England Under-21 international clocked up no more than 1,200 minutes, starting just 10 games in League One.
Following the club’s relegation, John-Jules found himself without a club. Despite netting in a PFA-organised friendly against Brighton Under-21s in August, the former Arsenal prospect failed to secure a new club.
Earlier this month, Hayters TV spotted him training with the under-21s at the Sobha Realty Centre.
Then, on Monday, John-Jules was called up to first-team training, working closely with Arteta ahead of Tuesday night’s showdown against Atletico Madrid.
The Arsenal boss’ pre-match press conference was dominated by questions about Diego Simeone and his work in the Spanish capital.
“At the highest level, I think what he’s done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he’s done it,” said Arteta.
“I think the identity that he has created for the club, for the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that’s because the manager is very much them. That’s extremely difficult to achieve for a short period of time, and to do it for 14 years, I think he’s been there now, he’s done something incredible, so it’ll be a pleasure to meet him.”
Arteta added: “There is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations. What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think, for how long he’s been in the game and in the same club, with the same players, and how you still have that handle and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win.
“It’s a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary as well. I don’t know him personally but everything that I have heard about him is that he’s so good at doing that.
“That’s one of the reasons why you are able to sustain at that level,” added the Spaniard. “If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere.
“I don’t know, you have to come here and try it and feel it, but I’m very sure that his know-how is unbelievable and his character and willingness will take him anywhere.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
