Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about former player Hector Bellerin this week.

The Gunners are taking on Sporting CP in the Europa League on Thursday.

Bellerin, who is on loan at Sporting from Barceona, will be in line to take on his former club.

“I absolutely love the person and the player," Arteta told reporters.

“He was a really important player for our club, one who left something beyond just his career but as a person at our football club.

“It will be great to see him tomorrow, and I'm sure the boys and the staff will be really happy to see him again."